Formaldehyde The Invisible Odorless Killer

Did you know that excessive formaldehyde exposure can cause increased allergies, sinus problems,  respiratory problems and extreme fatigue.  Worse, long term exposure can cause lung dis function, skin hardening, flaking and swelling, dermatitis, allergic eczema and even cancer. Yes, the International Agency For Research on Cancer, which is part of  The World Health Organisation, have designated formaldehyde as a known cause of several types of cancer.

Formaldehyde is used in hundreds of processes, including paint manufacture, plastic products, paper, textiles, carpets, pesticides, MDF, chipboard, furniture, glues and resins, the list goes on.  As you can imagine almost every one is exposed to formaldehyde either at work, home or in the community.

The main source of formaldehyde vapour is in furniture.  The vapour can be active for many years after manufacture.  Cavity wall insulation, loft insulation is another source. Cosmetics, toiletries and household cleaning products are another example.

Formaldehyde is more potent in the warmer months, as the temperatures rise so do the gas levels.  Obviously humidity will play its part too.

It is extremely important therefore that you test your environment for excessive exposure.  A good quality testing kit should be purchased.  The good news is that when the source is found, preventative measures should be taken as a matter of urgency.  There is always a safe alternative and I shall reveal some key tips in later posts.