The Health Effects of Formaldehyde Exposure

When it comes to the health effects of formaldehyde exposure it seems hard to nail it down.  I have been researching this for a month and really feel like some of the information out there is circular.  Some says it doesn't cause cancer and other says it does.  Some sites out there will try and tell you it's something you shouldn't be worried about and others make it seem to be feared.

My take on everything after all the articles and all the information that I have read is that yes formaldehyde is a chemical our body naturally produces in small doses and so does just about everything in nature but we should still try and limit our exposure to it.  In the end just because something is natural doesn't make it safe.  I saw one website that tried to push this thought as well.

Let's start off with not everyone is going to react to formaldehyde at the same levels as some people are allergic and others are just simply sensitive to this chemical. Up to 20% of the population are more responsive and may react at very low concentrations.  If you think you are allergic to formaldehyde then please talk with your doctor to find out.

Some of the short term effects can be the same as cold and flu symptoms, the best way to know if it's not a cold or the flu is if you feel better out of the home or office, if the symptoms return they may be caused by indoor pollutants. 

The short term effects are watery eyes, burning sensations of the eyes (like cutting an onion or getting soap in your eyes), burning sensations of the nose and throat, coughing, wheezing, nausea, skin irritation, and dizziness. These can happen at levels higher than 0.10 ppm (parts per million).  At levels as high as 10ppms you can experience severe irritations of the upper respiratory tract, burning sensation of the nose and throat, coughing, choking, and vomiting.  At levels 50ppm or higher there is inflammation of the lung (pneumonitis), and to a potentially fatal accumulation of fluid in the lungs.  Symptoms can be delayed up to 24 or 48 hours after exposure.

Now most people will never experience the higher levels of exposure unless they work with the chemical itself.  And it can be hard to pin point the source of these symptoms as so many other issues can be at play but if you think it's formaldehyde then see your doctor.

Even though this is a chemical that has been used for decades and everything there isn't a lot known about the long term effects on the human body.  Research on the matter seems to be circular at best.  One thing affecting it that there are not enough cases to study or other chemicals are in play.  But in rats there have been cases of cancer and many groups do believe it to be a known carcinogen. 

Some other random facts about formaldehyde and its effects on the human body, a recent study has found a high level of formaldehyde bonded to the white blood cells of smokers compared to non smokers.  Which makes sense since smoking giving off formaldehyde as one of the many chemicals and reasons not to smoke.

What should I can I do to reduce the formaldehyde in my home?

There are a few simple things that you can do to reduce the formaldehyde in your home.  The first is to watch the products that come into your home and what they have within them.  Many of the products out there have formaldehyde or formaldehyde releasers in them.  One such product that was in the news last month was Johnson and Johnson's baby shampoo, they still have formaldehyde releasers in them but then you have Melaleuca's Koala pals doesn't.  And it smells just as great if not better and leaves my children's hair so very soft.  And it's tear free as well.  So research the products that you bring in your home make sure that they are safe.

Another way is to make sure your home is well ventilated be it you open your windows more on those great days, or your doors.   Keeping your home at a moderate temperature as products off gas the formaldehyde at higher humid temps.  Reduce your humidity levels as well.

The EPA recommends using "exterior grade" pressed wood products to limit your exposure. These are made with a different chemical and not a formaldehyde resin.  Before buying any pressed wood products ask about the formaldehyde and the levels from the manufacture or store.  This includes building materials, cabinetry and furniture.  Remember these products off gas the most in the first year, so if you can and don't mind buy the floor models that have been opened and aloud to off gas.  Not only will you save yourself the formaldehyde you may save some money too.   If ordering your products see if the warehouse can open the boxes and allow the products to off gas a bit before they are delivered to your home. And the last thing you can do to limit exposure is to not allow smoking in your home or car. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this you can find part one here.

Part three will focus on where you can find formaldehyde and what it is used in so that you may avoid those items. 

Should you want more info about the Koala pals kid's body wash and shampoo please let me know.