At this point, you’ve probably heard about the dangers of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde, when ingested in large amounts, can cause breathing difficulties, eye irritation, and asthma. It is also a known carcinogen when exposed chronically. But wait! It’s even worse than you thought. A recent ProPublica investigation found that the EPA “grossly underestimates the dangers posed by formaldehyde” by excluding the risk of contracting myeloid leukemia and underestimating the risk of asthma and reproductive problems such as miscarriage and fertility problems. It turned out that they were being evaluated.
Some exposure to formaldehyde is based on outdoor pollution from industrial activities and motor vehicles. However, you can be exposed to even higher levels of formaldehyde indoors. ProPublica found that “formaldehyde levels in typical homes are more than three times higher than the EPA says protects people from respiratory illnesses.”
Take the flooring. A 2015 60 Minutes investigation into Lumber Liquidators’ Chinese-made laminate flooring showed it was likely to emit high levels of formaldehyde, making homeowners sick. The investigation resulted in a $33 million criminal penalty against Lumber Liquidators and a subsequent $2.5 million settlement with the California Air Resources Board. A government report revised in 2016 said anyone living in a home with high formaldehyde Chinese laminate flooring could experience symptoms of exposure, not just sensitive groups. . Additionally, after two years of living on this laminate flooring, an additional 6 to 30 people out of 100,000 may develop cancer.
After this settlement and federal standard went into effect, many retailers and brands switched to adhesives that emit far less formaldehyde. You will see a label indicating that the flooring is TSCA Title VI or CARB 2 compliant and has no added formaldehyde or very low formaldehyde.
Still, there is no doubt that the United States is bad at enforcing weak consumer protections. There are no mandatory standards for indoor air in homes. Additionally, it is difficult to know for sure the actual amount of VOCs and formaldehyde in MDF products if they are properly labeled. Lumber Liquidators is an American company that has become an easy target for lawyers. (And filed for bankruptcy last spring.) Do you think this Chinese brand that sells ultra-cheap laminate furniture on Wayfair guarantees that its products are formaldehyde-compliant?
Britain is not much better. For example, in 2017 a British couple accused new custom-built MDF shelving, which cost them £18,456, of polluting the air in their home with formaldehyde gas.
Some also recommend purchasing an IQAir purifier, which is considered to be best for VOCs such as formaldehyde, but at least one study found that it can produce formaldehyde as a byproduct. . So if formaldehyde is your main concern, it may not work for you.
So, since the EPA is doing the bupkiss to protect you, you have to protect yourself too. Here are steps you can take to reduce the amount of formaldehyde in your home.
In the summer, open the windows to let in some fresh air. Especially if your home is well insulated and airtight. If you live in an area where you have to keep windows closed during cold winters or very hot summers, install an energy recovery fan to draw in and circulate fresh air. Replace your gas range with an induction range (if you have the budget), an electric range (if you have a small budget), or a hot plate (if you have very little). ProPublica reporters found formaldehyde levels in a Brooklyn apartment where a gas stove was cooking and candles were burning were “nearly 12 times the level set by the EPA to prevent respiratory problems and other health problems.” I discovered that it was detected. And make sure that any type of cooking stove has a hood that allows ventilation on the outside. If not, be sure to open a nearby window when cooking. Avoid varnishes and lacquers and use only VOC-free paints. Buy clean, non-toxic beauty products. In particular, avoid hair straightening products and traditional nail polishes that contain formaldehyde or strong formaldehyde-releasing ingredients. We have a guide to non-toxic nail polish and beauty products for Black women, who are the most often targeted by these toxic products. Avoid scented candles and air fresheners. Both add formaldehyde to the air in your home. Avoid engineered wood, MDF, laminate wood, particle board, and engineered wood or veneer furniture, cabinets, and flooring. Instead, choose uncoated metal, glass, or solid wood furniture. When choosing new wood furniture, cabinets, and flooring, look for solid wood that holds securely in place without the need for adhesives. Japanese-style bed frames and traditional flooring are both great in this regard. Choose American-made products whenever possible. There are still many great furniture makers in states like North Carolina and Vermont who make heirloom-quality furniture using high-quality solid wood. Here is a guide to non-toxic furniture. We buy used furniture! Antique stores and Facebook Marketplace are full of low-priced solid wood furniture. Even old particleboard furniture has time to release formaldehyde gas. All you need is a strong friend and a borrowed or rented flatbed truck. My husband and I rented a truck to pick up a solid wood Crate & Barrel 8-seater dining table for our farmhouse and paid $300, and I bought two solid wood farmhouse twin beds for $200. I got it. Or check out our salvage warehouse. You can get beautiful salvaged wood, cabinets, furniture, doors, and more for your songs. The cedar shelving in our apartment came from a trip to Big Reuse in Queens. It was once part of the old water tower. Here’s how to get non-toxic furniture at a more affordable price. When it comes to flooring, avoid faux or laminate wood floors and wall-to-wall carpeting. Instead, choose real wood, brick, adobe, or linoleum and top it with a cotton or wool rug. Linoleum may sound like a product from the chemical age, but it’s a natural, non-toxic material made by pressing linseed oil, pine tar, wood flour, cork dust, limestone, and pigments onto a jute backing. Perfect if real wood or tile is out of your budget. Avoid curtains and sheets that don’t easily wrinkle. Made with a formaldehyde-based chemical finish and iron-free. Of course it goes without saying, but please refrain from smoking in or near your home. If you are sensitive, you may also consider banning marijuana smoking or vaping in your home. div:nth-child(1) {flex: 1 !important;} ))))>))>
