Formaldehyde
What is formaldehyde and where does it come from?
Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a pungent odor. Commonly used as a preservative in medical laboratories and mortuaries, formaldehyde is also found in a variety of products that people encounter during their normal daily routine. For example, it is used in glues, wood products, preservatives, paper product coatings and certain insulation materials, and to add permanent-press qualities to clothing and draperies. Un-vented gas stoves, kerosene space heaters and smoking can also produce formaldehyde. Because its use is so widespread, formaldehyde is often found in our indoor and outdoor environments.
How do I know if formaldehyde is in my house?
The most significant source of formaldehyde in homes is pressed wood products containing urea-and phenol-formaldehyde adhesive resin. Formaldehyde enters the indoor environment when it is released or “off-gassed” from these resins. Urea formaldehyde-containing products can release more formaldehyde than those made of phenol formaldehyde. Particleboard, fiberboard, shelving, cabinetry and furniture are the most common products containing urea-formaldehyde resins. Products such as carpets or gypsum board do not contain significant amounts of formaldehyde when new. They can, however, trap airborne formaldehyde and later release it into the indoor air when the temperature and humidity change. The rate at which products release formaldehyde can change with time and generally decrease as products age.
In the past, the use of foam insulation in construction and pressed wood products in prefabricated and mobile homes caused high indoor levels of formaldehyde. The use of foam insulation was virtually eliminated from the residential environment in 1982 due to concerns of potential health effects. Since that time, manufacturers have changed the foam formulations so that much less formaldehyde is off-gassed. However, the concentration of formaldehyde can be significantly higher if the manufacturer’s application procedures are not followed. In manufactured and prefabricated homes, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has required plywood and particleboard conform to specified formaldehyde emission limits since 1985. Because of these efforts, formaldehyde problems in indoor environments are not as prevalent as they were in the past.
Can formaldehyde affect my health?
Small amounts of formaldehyde are harmless but can be irritating and toxic at higher concentrations. The indoor and outdoor air usually contains formaldehyde concentrations of 0.06 ppm (parts per million) or less. This concentration of formaldehyde is typically harmless to the public. Airborne concentrations at or above 0.1 ppm can cause symptoms such as watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes, nose and throat, nausea, coughing, chest tightness, wheezing and skin rashes. Higher concentrations may trigger asthma attacks in asthmatics. People with formaldehyde sensitivity can experience these symptoms at concentrations below 0.1 ppm. At 100 ppm, it can be immediately dangerous to life and health. Formaldehyde has also been observed to cause cancer in laboratory animal studies and may cause cancer in humans. Humans are typically exposed to levels that are much lower than what was used in the scientific studies. Therefore, any risk of cancer is believed to be small at levels normally encountered by the public.
People who suspect they are experiencing formaldehyde-related symptoms should work closely with a knowledgeable physician to verify that it is causing their symptoms. Those who have adverse reactions to formaldehyde may want to consider avoiding the use of pressed wood products and other formaldehyde-emitting goods. Even if you do not experience such reactions, you may wish to reduce your exposure as much as possible by purchasing furnishings and wood products that emit less formaldehyde.
Can I test my house for formaldehyde?
There are a variety of factors that need to be considered before taking a formaldehyde sample. These factors include sampling objectives, accuracy and reliability of the sampling method and understanding how environmental variables within a house may affect your sample. “Do-it-yourself” test kits can provide a qualitative assessment of your situation. For example, a home test kit can help you determine if formaldehyde may be at problem levels in your house. However, strict interpretation of these test kit results (e.g., “safe”/”unsafe” determinations) should be avoided. A trained professional should be contacted when an accurate, representative sample is critical or when you are relying upon testing to make safe/unsafe determinations or health impact assessments. The Volusia County Health Department does not offer formaldehyde testing to the public.
How do I eliminate formaldehyde from my indoor environment?
Every indoor air quality problem is unique to the situation. It is recommended that you consult a knowledgeable indoor air quality professional and your physician before starting an abatement project. The most effective method of reducing or eliminating exposures is to remove items that are releasing formaldehyde, avoiding the use of pressed wood products and other formaldehyde-emitting goods. If that is not possible, here are some general approaches a homeowner can use to reduce or eliminate formaldehyde exposures:
- Large amounts of fresh (outside) air can dilute formaldehyde concentrations and lower exposures. Opening doors and windows or installing an exhaust fan can be effective methods for introducing fresh air.
- The rate of formaldehyde off-gassing can increase in high temperature and humidity environments. The use of dehumidifiers and air conditioning to control humidity and to maintain a moderate temperature can help lower formaldehyde emissions.
- Properly vent combustion sources (like stoves and heaters).
- Avoid smoking indoors
Formaldehyde Resources on the Internet
Below you will find links for additional information. Inclusion on this list does not necessarily indicate that we fully agree with the entire contents of the page cited. If some of the links do not work it is possible that the web page was deleted or removed by the hosting organization since we posted them here.
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, “An
Update on Formaldehyde - 1997 Revision” 
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/formald2.html
Formaldehyde in Florida
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HE/HE35300.pdf
Sources of Formaldehyde
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/formalde.html
Formaldehyde and Cancer: Questions and Answers
http://cis.nci.nih.gov/fact/3_8.htm
If the information provided above does not answer your question,
please contact our
Indoor Environment Quality Specialist
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