Formaldehyde is toxic to human health. It is a colorless, odorless gas with a foul odor and is inflammable. Traces of formaldehyde are found in building materials, certain household products, gas stoves, and kerosene heaters. Although fatal to human health, formaldehyde is used as a chemical component in a number of manufacturing items. 

Formaldehyde in a home is found in pressed wood products that are made using adhesive and contain urea-formaldehyde resins or UF resins. The wood products are particleboards that are used as a subflooring agent and in cabinets and furniture. On the other hand, it is also found in middle-sized fireboards that have a high resin-to-wood ratio.

Side effects of Formaldehyde:

Formaldehyde has a pungent smell that causes watery eyes and burning sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat which may often cause difficulty in breathing. It is fatal for people having asthma. In extreme cases, formaldehyde can cause cancer in both animals and humans. 

Coughing, fatigue, nausea, skin rash, and high allergic reactions are some of the symptoms of formaldehyde contamination. 

Formaldehyde Contamination:

In homes:

It is mostly used in indoor home furniture. It is used as an adhesive to press wood together. This lets the release of toxins into the air. A recent survey stated the level of formaldehyde in old homes without the UFFI are in below 0.01(ppm). In new homes, the level may rise up to 0.3 ppm due to the use of newly pressed wood products. 

In Commercial Products:

Formaldehyde is largely used to create permanent press fabric and products like cosmetics. Foam insulators, paint, and other pain preservatives also contain traces of formaldehyde. This increases the level of contamination in workplaces.

In combustible substances:

The combustion of wood, gasoline and even smoking can lead to formaldehyde contamination. As we all know, smoking is injurious to health and tobacco smoking contributes to a greater level of contamination of formaldehyde. Thus, quitting smoking and reducing the burning of wood can lower the contamination level. 

It can rapidly get absorbed into the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. Once the fumes penetrate the skin, they may also lead to dermatitis in humans. 

 Steps To Reduce Contamination

There are multiple steps through which you can minimize the level of contamination. These are:

1. Clean air is important for breathing. Hence you need to ensure that your home and workplace follow all the safety protocols that are necessary. Hire a team of experienced professionals who can conduct internal air testing. The professionals with their tools and modern technology conduct test to asses allergens, ventilation, and gas levels that are necessary for appropriate cleanup service. 

2. Increase the number of ventilation ducts in your home. Formaldehyde concentration is maximum indoors than outdoors. Moreover, you can follow a few basic home safety protocols:

• Stop smoking inside your home
• Using low-emission household items
• Clean the air ducts, chimney, fireplace, and woodstoves periodically.
• Do not keep the engine of your car or other gas items running, especially if it is near the window or door.
• Maintain the humidity level at 50% in summer and at 30% in winter. 
• Use a dehumidifier according to your needs.

 

1. In order to prevent contamination inside the premises of your home when you are relocating:

• Open all the doors and windows for increased ventilation while painting or varnishing and fixing the carpet with glues.
• Always use composite wood furniture with a plastic coating on the insides. 

 

Who is mostly affected by contamination?

Although formaldehyde is toxic to human health however there are certain people who can be greatly affected by inhaling even a small whiff of the compound. They are:

• Children
• Pregnant women
• Elderly persons
• People with lungs problem like – bronchitis, asthma, COPD, and other lung diseases.

Where can you check for formaldehyde inside your home?

 

Traces of formaldehyde can be present in each corner of your home. However, let us break it down.

 

• Start in your bedroom, as it is the only place where you can sleep like a baby. Make sure you are not inhaling this toxic element while resting your head.
• Walls, flooring, and carpet also contain traces of formaldehyde. There are certain paints that come with a low-VOC tag or zero-VOC. These paints contain a lesser amount of the compound. Therefore make sure to use them when you plan to paint your home next time. 
• The closet and dresser are other places where you can find formaldehyde.

 

Formaldehyde Contamination Control at ECOS

To have a clean and healthy home free of formaldehyde, connect with the experts at Environmental and Disaster Restoration.

The experts at ECOS are available 24 hours a day, every day. They use modern appliances that are beneficial for your health as well as for the health of animals. Another aspect of hiring us is the price. Once you decide to hire us, we will give you a competitive price without any hidden charges.

To know more about us check out our website at https://ecosenvironmental.com/indoor-air-quality-iaq/formaldehyde-contamination/. Or you can also call us at 888-375-3267 today! 

 

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