How to Eliminate Formaldehyde in Your Home
Posted on Thu, Nov 10, 2011
First, the bad news: formaldehyde is in many household products and is necessary to the manufacturing of them, so to some extent is unavoidable. But according to a study by the California Air Resources Board, many new homes have too much formaldehyde and too little ventilation.
But there is good news: we can substantially reduce its presence in our homes. There are practical steps one can take to drastically reduce the presence of, and exposure to, formaldehyde. While it may be necessary in the manufacturing of certain products, it doesn’t need to linger in the air we breathe!
Formaldehyde is often used in clothing and drapes to create a permanent press. It is used in adhesives, and in some paints and coating products. According to the E.P.A., it is at its most dangerous levels in particleboard, plywood paneling and medium density fiberboard.
Exposure to formaldehyde has several health consequences. It can cause watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes and throat, and difficulty breathing. At its most extreme, it can cause severe wheezing and coughing, allergic reactions and perhaps even cancer.
Apologizes if this comes off as a scare tactic, but UltimateAir® feels the need to raise awareness, and how to assist in reducing formaldehyde in your home!
Tips to Reduce Formaldehyde in your home:
- First, increase ventilation through the use of a whole house ventilation system like the RecoupAerator®, particularly after bringing new sources of formaldehyde into the home.
- Off-gas the product containing formaldehyde before bringing it into your home. Leave the newly purchased product in your garage for a few days, or have the manufacturer unseal the product and let it breathe before purchasing.
- Use "exterior-grade" pressed wood products (containing a less dangerous form of formaldehyde).
- Test the level of formaldehyde in the air. For as little as $40 you can check existing levels of the byproduct in your home, either as a precautionary measure or after bringing in the product into your home.
By taking these simple steps, and by being cognizant of formaldehyde’s presence in so many products, we can substantially reduce its risk to our families’ health.
Be sure to check out our demonstration video that shows just how powerful a small dose of formaldehyde can be to your home’s indoor air quality.