Striving for a Healthier Lifestyle

Copyright © AJ Aldridge, helping you strive for a healthier lifestyle

Trying to keep our homes clean and our families healthy we forget about some of the things we are using may actually be causing more harm than good. Some products in our homes could be triggering and aggravating existing health conditions or causing new symptoms to appear. Many of the average people just do not know all the chemicals that are used in the manufacturing process that companies use to make the products that help us in our everyday lives. Some just do not know or realize that our homes could be making us sick or keep us from living healthier lives.

One chemical that widely used in the manufacturing industry is formaldehyde. At room temperature, it is a colorless gas with a distinct pungent smell. It is also known as methanal, methylene oxide, oxymethyline, methylaldehyde, and oxomethane. Our bodies also produce this gas in small amounts.

Formaldehyde is used in the production of fertilizers, paper, plywood and resins. It is also used as a preservative in some foods and many other products that we use around our homes such as antiseptics, medicines and vitamins, shampoos, conditioners, hair gels, cosmetics and baby wipes. Paints and glues will also contain formaldehyde for its preservative qualities and it also adds to the permanent press process of clothing and draperies. The amounts of formaldehyde in any home is quite significant and even more concentrated in a poorly ventilated areas.

As significant amount of formaldehyde is found in the glues and resins that manufactures use in making pressed board materials. Items in your home that use the pressed board process are cabinetry, furniture and flooring. Smoking in your home also adds to the concentrated amount of formaldehyde. Not to mention the other health risks associated with this bad habit.

The health concerns of exposure to elevated levels of formaldehyde is its association with triggering asthma attacks and even some cases of cancer. This gas can cause watery eyes or burning sensation in the eyes, nose and or throat or difficulty breathing. Those that are more sensitive could have severe allergic reactions or a skin rash.

There are ways that we can cut down on the formaldehyde in our homes. The most frequently used items like the personal products can be replaced with items that do not contain formaldehyde. As for the construction materials, ask the retailer about the formaldehyde content in the pressed wood products. Keep the house at a moderate temperature to reduce humidity levels. Increase ventilation when new pressed wood products are brought into the home. A significant amount of the formaldehyde gas will evaporate but you will want it to get out of your home and not linger.

When you are striving for a healthier lifestyle, you should always do research on the products that you are using and anything else that may effect your health. Not everyone thinks that the items that are in your home now are causing any harm. You may be surprised how you will be able to breath easier by just reducing the amount of formaldehyde in your home. Remember to read the labels and ask questions.

For further information on formaldehyde and consumer products, call the EPA Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) Assistance Line (202) 554-1404 listed under "organic gases."
EPA's Integrated Risk Information System profile on Formaldehyde: www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0419.htm

Proposed Rulemaking: Formaldehyde Emissions from Pressed Wood Products
On December 3, 2008, EPA's Office of Prevention, Pesticides & Toxic Substances published in the Federal Register an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) that: describes EPA's initial steps to investigate potential actions to protect against risks posed by formaldehyde emitted from pressed wood products used in manufactured homes and other places; and, requests comment, information and data relating to formaldehyde emissions from pressed wood products. See www.epa.gov/opptintr/chemtest/formaldehyde
 
An Update on Formaldehyde: 1997 Revision (CPSC document #725)
This booklet to tell you about formaldehyde found in the indoor air. This booklet tells you where you may come in contact with formaldehyde, how it may affect your health, and how you might reduce your exposure to formaldehyde.
HTML | PDF (12 pp., 37 K, about PDF)
CPSC Web site

AJ Aldridge is a stay at home mom of 4. She owns her own business teaching others how to succeed and to help others as they strive for a healthier lifestyle. See her website, Striving for a Healthier Lifestyle, for more information