| Most of us are aware of common household hazards | | | | formaldehyde. You can find it in shampoos, hair |
| and take steps to protect our families. | | | | spray, sunscreen, and even air fresheners. |
| You would never paint with lead-based paint, you | | | | Did I mention that formaldehyde is used in |
| check your furnace yearly to make sure it is properly | | | | embalming? The International Agency for Research |
| vented, and we use GFI (ground fault indicators) | | | | on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health |
| electrical outlets in the kitchen and bathroom. | | | | Organization, has designated formaldehyde as a |
| But have you ever thought that your kitchen | | | | known cause of several types of throat and nasal |
| cabinets, "wood" furniture, or carpet padding could | | | | cancer. |
| make you sick? | | | | So how do you avoid the dangers of formaldehyde? |
| The building industry commonly uses composite wood | | | | Well for wood products, ask about the content |
| products (forexample pressed board or particle | | | | before you buy. Avoid products with |
| board) when constructing kitchen and bathroom | | | | urea-formaldehyde in them. You can always |
| cabinets. These wood products are treated with | | | | substitute exterior grade plywood for particle board. |
| formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is also used in the | | | | Urea-formaldehyde is not used in exterior products. If |
| manufacture of hardwood plywood paneling and | | | | you already have pressed board and particle board in |
| carpet padding. During the 70's, many homes were | | | | your cabinets, you can seal them with a few thin |
| insulated with urea-formaldehyde foam insulation | | | | coats of polyurethane. |
| (UFFI). This practice was discontinued once the | | | | Keep good air flow to hasten off-gassing. There is an |
| dangers of the high amount of formaldehyde in this | | | | air cleaner made by Austin Air just for removal of |
| product were known. Fortunately for those that still | | | | formaldehyde. It is called the HealthMate Plus. In |
| live in homes insulated with UFFI, formaldehyde is a | | | | addition to formaldehyde, it will also remove dust and |
| volatile organic compound (VOC) which means it | | | | other particles as small as .3 microns. |
| turns into a gas upon contact with air. After 30 | | | | Read the labels of your personal care and household |
| years, most of the formaldehyde in the UFFI in attics | | | | cleaning products. Avoid formaldehyde and |
| across the country has dissipated. | | | | Quaternium-15. There are several brands of |
| But what about the formaldehyde that is lurking in | | | | soy-based household cleaners on the market that are |
| your home? Is it a problem? Formaldehyde can cause | | | | formaldehyde-free. I like the Enviro-Rite line by |
| an itchy or burning throat, a dry cough, irritation to | | | | Bioforce Envirotech. Choose your personal care |
| the nose and eyes or even asthma attacks. It can | | | | products carefully. Pharmaceutical Specialities has an |
| cause dizziness, rashes, or chronic fatigue. | | | | entire line of skin and hair care products for people |
| The personal care and cosmetics industry also likes | | | | with sensitive skin and they contain no formaldehyde |
| formaldehyde. Read the label of your favorite nail | | | | or parabens and Tom's of Maine makes deodorant |
| polish or hardener/strengthener. You will see it | | | | and toothpaste without formaldehyde. |
| prominently listed. Also, look for the name | | | | Don't get embalmed alive! Avoid formaldehyde. |
| Quaternium-15. This indicates the presence of | | | | |