Are Your Walls Making You Sick - Read This Lesson On Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a common chemical found in numerous household
products, including adhesives, cosmetics, deodorants, detergents,
fertilizers, paints, plastics, and textiles. It has been found to
cause cancer in laboratory animals and also suspected to be human
carcinogen.
The National Academy of Sciences estimates
that 10% to 20% of the general population may be susceptible
to irritation from exposure to formaldehyde at extremely low
concentrations including cough, swelling and irritation of
the throat, watery eyes, headaches, rashes, excessive
thirst, nausea, nosebleeds, disorientation, and other
symptoms.
A major source of formaldehyde pollution in many homes is
particleboard. Particleboard is made by pressing small wood
shavings together with urea-formaldehyde resin. It is easy
to recognize because you can see the pressed-together
shavings on all sides. It is used extensively in the
construction of inexpensive home furnishings, kitchen and
bathroom cabinets, and in new-home construction
(particularly as subflooring and in doors).
While particleboard itself is simple to recognize, it is
often hidden behind a thin wood veneer, so check carefully.
Good places to look for exposed particleboard are inside
cabinets, at the ends of shelves, in corners, and in drilled
holes. Most wood items that are described as "veneered" or
having a "genuine oak veneer" are generally filled with
particleboard.
All products made with particleboard will release small
quantities of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde emissions are
greater when the product is new, and decrease with time, but
it takes many years for the formaldehyde to evaporate
entirely. Surprisingly, warning labels are not required on
products made with particleboard, though they are on sheets
of particleboard purchased at lumberyards.
Another common product made with urea-formaldehyde resin is
urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI). The Consumer
Product Safety Commission banned the use of UFFI in
residences and schools in 1982, after receiving numerous
complaints that exposure to this insulation caused
respiratory problems, dizziness, nausea, and eye and throat
irritations ranging from short-term discomfort to serious
adverse health effects and hospitalization. Despite the fact
that this ban was later overturned by the U.S. Court of
Appeals, the CPSC continues to warn consumers that evidence
indicates that substantial risk is associated with use of
this product.
Instead of particleboard, choose wood items made from solid
wood whenever possible. Even plywood, although also made
with a formaldehyde resin, is preferable to particleboard.
If you are insulating your home, choose any other insulation
rather than UFFI.
There is some concern that fiberglass fibers may pose the
same hazard as asbestos fibers, but no known evidence that
suggests that fiberglass within walls might be released into
your living space. You can order a home test kit if you want
to check your indoor air for formaldehyde fumes that may
already be present in your home.
Some of the formaldehyde fumes from particleboard or UFFI
can be sealed in; any kind of finish will help to some
degree, although a sealant designed to be a vapor barrier,
such as AFM Hard Seal, will be more effective. They can
reduce formaldehyde emissions up to 95%, but tend to break
down after several years and require reapplication.
The most effective barrier for formaldehyde fumes is
aluminum foil. Heavy-duty foil and foil-back paper (sold as
foil vapor barrier at building-supply stores) are more
durable than standard cooking foil. These will, of course,
give a rather space-age look to your furniture and your
walls, but they work quite well inside cabinets, where they
are less visible and most needed to prevent fumes from
building up inside the closed space. Use foil tape
(available at hardware stores) to seal the edges and keep
fumes from escaping.
If you do nothing else, at least open the window! As
particle-board and UFFI continue to give off formaldehyde
fumes, they can eventually reach very high concentrations in
unventilated
spaces. Try to leave a window open (even just a crack will
help) in all rooms containing particleboard and throughout
the house if your home is insulated with UFFI.
An appropriate air filter will also significantly lessen
formaldehyde fumes, but don't expect a little air cleaner
from your local department store to do the job. You'll need
a heavy-duty machine with a lot of activated carbon or other
adsorptive material especially formulated for formaldehyde
removal.
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