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.

What to do with all that left over wrapping paper, bows, and ribbon?

It's the afternoon of Christmas and it looks like your tree threw up everywhere.  You have piles and piles of wrapping paper, bows and ribbon everywhere.  But what to do with it.  You know it's wasteful to toss it but what do to with it.  Well I have some ideas, here they are.

• You can make paper bows with them for next year and save yourself some money in the process.  Win Win. 
• You can use them to make some paper ornaments for your tree next year, or for gifts for next year and have a real big head start.  Also it would make a great reminder of the years that past like a yearly ornament.
• I posted on my other blog about keeping your children writing this winter break and making thank you cards.  Think how cute it would be for your friends and family to get thank you cards made with some of the wrapping paper that their gift came it.  And knowing your child made it.  
• You can use it to make garlands, you know those paper chains.  For next year for the tree or decorations.  You can make them during the break with your children and put them up in a box or flatten and save the paper for next year and start making the chains after Thanksgiving.
• You can reuse the left over bows and ribbons on other gifts in the upcoming year as well.
• You can use the smaller pieces of paper to make gift tags for next year or when ever. 
• You can shred it or just wad it up and use it for packing materials.
• Use it to make Christmas cards for next year.
• Use it in your scrapbooking with your holiday pictures.
• Use it for stuffing for your purses, hats, shoes and boots and anything like that.  It will help them hold their shape while in storage.
• You can use them to make Origami a great craft to do with kids.  
• Use the back side as scrap paper by the phones and on the desks.
• Use it to line drawers and shelves for the year.
• You can use the wrapping paper with decoupage, from boxes (think shoe boxes) to anything wood like ornaments.
• You can use them to mat your holiday photos.
• Use time to line the envelopes for your Christmas cards for that extra special touch. 
• Use it to make clothes for a paper doll. Dolland clothes templates 
• Frame a nice piece and you have decoration for next here.  Find some great subway art to add to it.  Makes a great gift as well.
• You can use it to make book marks for your favorite holiday books.     
• Cover your holiday storage boxes with it.
• You can use it as book covers use the white side and it can be used year round and kids can draw on it
• You can use it as a liner in the kitty box or any other critter cage
• You can make place mats with it.  Attach it to cardboard and then laminate it. This would be a great craft to do with the kids.
• You can make coasters, you can use the same process as for the place mats or you can decoupage it to coaster size wood titles and seal it.  Same with normal tiles from the hard ware store.  This idea but with wrapping paper.    
• Use it to decorate picture frames, a great way to make the ones from the dollar store look nice
• Use it as filler in gift boxes and gift bags
• You can make magnets with it,  attach the wrapping paper to cardstock or a light weight card board and laminate it, then attach a magnet to the back.
• Make a festive bulletin board, take wrapping paper and cover cork board.
• Make paper jewelry.
• Use it to make Sculptures.
• Make paper with it.  For a how to video click here         

This list is a great starting off point, please be inspired and have fun.  And if you come up with an idea share it please.  I would love to see anything that you make with your left over wrapping paper.  It will be nice not to toss such pretty paper.

Merry Christmas! Merry Yule! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Holidays!

Holiday Safety Tips

Holiday Safety Tips

This holiday season I want everyone safe and sound so they can enjoy there Holiday.  I have a few tips that I have picked up on over the years and around the web.

• Check your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector and make sure they are working.
• Make sure any holiday guest know what to do in case of a fire and where to meet up.
• Make sure your holiday guests know where the fire extinguisher is and make sure you have one or two just in case you need them.
• If you have a fresh Christmas/Holiday tree make sure you water it daily the needles shouldn't fall off when it's touched.  A well water tree doesn't burn as well as a dry tree.
• Keep you tree and other flammables 3 feet away from heating vent, fire places, and space heaters.
• Use Candles with care, Never leave them unattended, in the reach of pets or animals.  Always blow them out when you go to sleep and leave the house.  A great alternative is Scentsy use this link to find someone local to you.
• Keep Candles 12 inches away from any flammable and place them on/in holders that are sturdy and large enough to hold all the melted wax.
• Maintain your Chimney to prevent fires, if you haven't done so already for the winter now would be a great time to do so.
• DO NOT drink and drive, DO NOT get in the car and let someone drive that has been drinking.  You can always pick up your car later.
• DO NOT text and drive, it can wait.  If it can't pull over into a parking let and send the text
• DO NOT talk on the cell phone and drive unless you have a hands free device.  It can wait if it can't and you don't have a hands free device pull over and make the call.  
• Have kit in your car in case of an accident or bad weather and your stuck in your car.  Have bottle water, flashlights, blankets in the car, food and a first aid kit to include flares or other reflective items.  Make sure you have enough for a couple of days and everyone in your car.
• Leave early and don't speed I know this is common sense but it's ok to be late if you get there in one piece.
• Don't leave your car running in the garage because you want to prevent CO (carbon monoxide poisoning) 
• Dress in layers if it's cold out.
• Never Ever put your child in a car seat with the jacket on.  Take it off and buckle them in them put the coat on them backwards or a car seat poncho or blanket on them
• Always clean all the snow off your car
• Before a long car trip check the fit of your car seats.  Check out carseats.org should you need help.
• Food safety, always was your produce.  Cook your meat to proper temps as well.
• Keep cold foods out for only 2 hours at room temp and then put them back.
• Watch the products you use in your home make them as toxin free as you can.  If not please don't mix them.
• Watch for little pieces from gifts and decorations with little ones around remember not all homes you will visit are child proof.
• Check all your decorations for safety.  Frayed and cracked lights need to be replaces an don't plug more than three strands together at a time.
• Watch over loading circuits.
• Use out lights only outside.
 

Well I know I missed tons of tips but this is what I have for now.  Please post below any tips you have.  Please have a fun and a safe holiday!

Ways to reduce the toxins in your life this holiday season.

Even since starting my business of helping people get the toxins out of their lives.  I have been shocked at just how much is out there.  And at the holidays there is a lot so I thought I would make a little list of a few ways you can reduce the toxins in your lives.  If you ever need help finding a product or have a question please ask me.

• Shop safe, be mindful of what you buy, from chemical used to produce the item to the chemicals that will become part of your home when you bring it home.  Try and shop local, fair trade, and green when every possible.  

• Be mindful of what you eat.  Try and eat has whole and fresh and you can.  Keep as local as you can afford.  And keep it minimally processed.  Stay clear of the dirty dozen when you can and buy organic.  Here is a link to a printable card to take to the store with you. 

• Clean green.  Make sure that what you are using to clean your home isn't harming your health or the health of your family.  Be it home made cleaner or ones bought from a trusted company.  Take the healthy home tour.

• Whenever possible avoid canned food, for vegetables buy frozen they are fresher and better for you.  Cans that food is stored in can be lined with BPA which research has linked to cancer.  When possible buy your items in bpa free containers. 

• I know at the holidays bright colors are everywhere and in our food.  Try and avoid conventional food coloring, here is a great company to get natural food coloring from.   Some parents have seen great improvements inchildren behavior by removing all food coloring.

• Plan ahead for road tips and pack your food to avoid the high fat, high sodium, over processed fake food of fast food restaurants. Traveling over night or need a quick dinner, but didn't pack a meal no problem.  Just stop at the nearest grocery store or walmart and pick up a roasted chicken and some produce and you have a meal get a fresh bake loaf a bread. 

• Be mindful of what you give as gifts, think of how it got there what it's made with and if it will be used.

• While most people watch what goes in their body they don't watch what goes on it.  Our skin absorbs a lot.  Be careful with your hair care products , lotions, soaps, and the like.  Many of these products contain toxic items in them that have been linked to cancer.  

Thanks for reading I hope you have a happy and safe and toxin free holiday!

Formaldehyde it's everywhere part 1

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong pungent, even pickle like smelling chemical.  That is a flammable when in it's gas form at room temperature.  It is also produced naturally in our bodies as part of our own natural, everyday metabolism, this kind causes no harm.

Formaldehyde is also known as

• methanal
• formalin
• formol
• methyl aldehyde
• methylene oxide
• morbicid  acid
• oxymethylene
• CH2O 

Formaldehyde is classified as a Volatile Organic Compound aka VOC.

So we have what it is, What are some of the different names it can be found under.  I think it's time to talk about it's uses and where it can be found.  I plan to go into detail with some of the uses and how it harms or helps us later.

Some of the uses for Formaldehyde:

• Production of fertilzer
• Production of paper
• Production of plywood
• Production of urea-formaldehyde resins 
• Production of well-drilling fluids
• Production of latex
• Tanning of leather
• Used in wood preservation
• Used in photographic film production
• Used as a preservative in some foods (ie: dried foods, fish) 
• Used in the production of cosmetics
• Used in the production of sugar
• Used as a preservative for grains and seed dressings
• Embalming Fluid 
• Used in hospitals and labs to preserve tissues and specimens

I know it seems a lot and truth be told I haven't finished researching everything. Like I want to know how it used in the production of sugar and why. And I have plans to keep this going later this week I would like to get part two up.  Which will be about the health affects of formaldehyde, and then I will do one with a more of a break down of where you will run into formaldehyde in you every day life and why should should avoid it when given the chance.

Part two Health effect of formaldehyde can be found here