Tag Archives: Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde Junkies

22 Wednesday Feb 2012

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Ubiquitous. Omnipresent. Universal.

I’ve heard people use these words to describe how they connect with a spiritual being in the universe or how they view God. However, if I told you that I’m using them to describe the presence of formaldehyde in our world, you might do a double take and raise your eyebrows…..wwwwhat??

Formaldehyde appears to be almost everywhere; it touches our skin – from lotions and cosmetics to toothpaste and bubble bath. It’s in baby wipes and sun block that we buy for our children, which I find to be horrifying. Many cleaning products we use in our homes contain it. In fact, manufacturers of cleaning products are not required to spell out the ingredients used in them, making it all the more tricky to decipher the code on their labels. My question is – are we cleaning and sanitizing or are we creating conditions that make us more at risk to sickness?

Reactions to any and all chemicals are becoming more common. In my research to become better informed, I came across a number of good resources – two of my top choices are shared below. A reaction to formaldehyde may be hard to isolate and so being on the lookout for all chemicals in products can help us move toward a toxic free life. Hope they help inform your journey too.

The US Dept of Health & Human Services lists health and safety information for commonly used products around the home on their website: householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov. Take a BIG gulp of coffee or chai before reading through the ever growing list of chemicals found in and around our homes. After looking it over, I’ve decided to look for “non-toxic to humans and aquatic life”, or “readily biodegradable”, or similar phrases in the descriptions on any new items I purchase from now on!

Green EarthMena Noll’s blog is called Toxic Free Kids (toxicfreekidsblog.org) and her personal story is inspiring. She questions if her clean freak habits actually caused or, if not, contributed greatly to her son’s illness. She has a Top Ten List of how to begin the process of detoxing that is straightforward, do-able and systematically addresses some of the basic areas in our lives and homes. And if you’re experiencing hard-to-pinpoint symptoms it’s a great start to remove toxins from the home environment.

Eliminating formaldehyde is not easy. And when feeling sick from its effects, it’s even tougher to identify what may be causing the problem. Obvious items?  Body products (me? I’d try Cetaphyl and Aveda), clothing (natural organic, or try washing everything you bring home first before wearing), and furniture (most fabrics and even bedding are sprayed with a formaldehyde based product, so washing is definitely helpful) – all require some form of trial and error, as we look to use and surround ourselves with the most inert products possible.

So, open the window or take a walk and get some fresh air, it’ll help clear your mind and hopefully dilute some of the effects of the chemicals we’re exposed to every single day.

For those of you who enjoy the more technical side, here are the chemicals that make up formaldehyde:

  • Imidazolidinyl urea (Germall 115)
  • Diazolidinyl urea (Germall II)
  • Quaternium 15 (Dowicil 200)
  • 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol (Bronopol)
  • DMDM hydantoin
  • Hexamethylenetetramine
  • Formaldehyde is also released from certain other chemicals such as Dowicil75, Tris Nitro, Grotan HD2 or BK, Triadine-10, Onyxide 200, Vancide TH, Myacide BT.

— Debbie Hindman

What is Formaldehyde…

13 Monday Feb 2012

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and how do I avoid using it in my home?

It’s often difficult to spot formaldehyde as it is a colorless, although pungent-smelling gas. It’s a hidden ingredient widely used in the manufacture of countless building products. Trickier still, it’s also a by-product of natural processes such as combustion and so in combination can increase concentration levels both indoors and out.

Adhesives, which contain urea-formaldehyde resins, are most often the culprit and are typically found in pressed wood products including particleboard, plywood paneling and medium density fiberboard (MDF). These products are mass-produced into cabinetry, countertops, shelving, furniture and sub flooring. You got it – materials pretty much found in every home!

Formaldehyde, alone or when mixed with other chemicals, is considered to be one of the most subtle but hazardous in our homes. It continues to be released for years after these products have been installed and – a lesser known fact – can be absorbed into soft goods, such as draperies, upholstery, carpet and pillows (which are referred to as “sinks”), continuing to reemit toxic VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) at a later time, thereby prolonging their exposure.

Whether formaldehyde concentration levels are below advised standards in one item is probably not the point, they can fluctuate. Humidity or high temperatures can cause increased rates of release, especially when products are new. And when you combine multiple items…well you can do the math!

In 2004, the World Health Organization (WHO) upgraded formaldehyde from a probably carcinogen to a known one after evidence was shown that formaldehyde caused nasopharyngeal cancer.

The Healthy House Institute has some helpful guidelines; we’ve noted theirs and added others below as steps to reduce exposure. Consider these as you specify products for your clients:

• Ask about the formaldehyde content of pressed wood products, including building materials, cabinetry and furniture before you purchase them.

• Use formaldehyde-free wood products whenever you can. They’re available but can be more expensive. The most widely used completely formaldehyde-free alternative resins are MDI (methylene diphenyl isocyanate) and PVA (polyvinyl acetate).

• Consider using alternatives to pressed wood products. Some currently available: Columbia Forest Products – soy-based resin hardwood plywood panels Homasote – recycled paper panel boards Viroc – wood fiber Portland cement panels. (Source: www.buildinggreen.com)

• If you must use pressed wood products, use “exterior-grade” products as they have lower-emitting phenol resins, not urea resins.

• Increase and maintain good ventilation, particularly after bringing new sources of formaldehyde into the home.

• If you experience adverse reactions to formaldehyde, you may want to avoid the use of pressed wood products and other formaldehyde-emitting goods.

• Some studies suggest that coating pressed wood products with polyurethane may reduce formaldehyde emissions for some period of time. To be effective, the coating must cover all surfaces and edges and remain intact. Increase ventilation and carefully follow the manufacturer instructions while applying these coatings and avoid buying polyurethane that contains formaldehyde (as it will obviously emit the chemical after application).

• Try to maintain moderate temperature and humidity levels indoors. The rate at which formaldehyde is released is accelerated by heat and may also depend somewhat on the humidity level. Therefore, the use of dehumidifiers and air conditioning to control humidity and to maintain a moderate temperature can help reduce formaldehyde emissions.

• For further information on formaldehyde and consumer products, call the EPA Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) assistance line: (202) 554-1404.

— Debbie Hindman

Resources:

Formaldehyde, Part One

08 Wednesday Feb 2012

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Am I Sick? Or Am I Having An Allergic Reaction?

Coughing, runny nose, itchy eyes or skin, headache, nausea; these are common symptoms we have all experienced at some time. Common enough that we may assume we’re fighting a cold or infection, or that we’ve brushed against poison ivy or been nipped by an insect, or simply that something “didn’t agree with us”. However, did you know these can also be symptoms of an allergic reaction to something in our environs?

KitchenAssociates III has focused on sourcing healthy materials for homes that are green or sustainable for a long time. Good information hasn’t always been available, so we’ve used our intuition and worked closely with fabricators to specify custom pieces that are inert and safe. That’s been a tall order at times, particularly when working with someone who is not exactly sure what they are reacting to.  Many chemically sensitive people have a general feeling of lethargy or malaise; their immune systems are compromised to such a degree that any little thing can lead to a full blown system shut down. It makes it all the more difficult for doctors to diagnose, let alone remedy.

Numerous things can trigger an allergic reaction.  Many are organic or natural in our world, such as pollen, mold or dust mites. Others may be chemical based, innocuous or brief, but enough exposure over time can cause toxins to build up in our systems, whether organic or chemical, creating long term or permanent damage.

Symptoms When Exposed to Formaldehyde

We don’t pretend to be scientists but while completing research for our book Sustainable Residential Interiors, we looked into some of the key offenders.  We found that one of the more commonly used compounds in the home construction industry is formaldehyde. Reactions range from mild to severe, depending on the exposure level, and you can feel irritation in your eyes, nose and throat initially, coughing and a raw throat can develop, and you may even have trouble breathing. Chronic exposure can lead to respiratory damage and severe skin damage such as welts and burns. There is also evidence that constant exposure may lead to forms of cancer and death.

Sources of formaldehyde in the home include building materials, smoking, household products and the use of un-vented, fuel-burning appliances, like gas stoves or kerosene space heaters. Formaldehyde, by itself or in combination with other chemicals, serves a number of purposes in manufactured products. For example, it is used to add permanent-press qualities to clothing and draperies, as a component of glues and adhesives, and as a preservative in some paints and coating products.

Why some people react more to formaldehyde, or any substance, is not clear but my concern is that the numbers are growing as we use such chemicals to produce further items. It can’t be good.

— Debbie Hindman

Next time — What is Formaldehyde and how do I avoid using it in my home?

Resources:

ACAAI — The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology: www.acaai.org