Preventing Formaldehyde Poisoning: Air Pollution Protection Measures

Formaldehyde is a colourless, flammable gas commonly found in indoor air. It is a known human carcinogen, causing irritation to the skin, eyes, nose, and throat, and is associated with asthma in children. Formaldehyde is released from a variety of household products, including wood, fabrics, paints, and cigarettes. As formaldehyde levels are typically higher indoors, it is important to take preventative measures to minimise exposure and reduce the risk of formaldehyde poisoning. This can be achieved through proper ventilation, avoiding smoking indoors, choosing low-formaldehyde products, and removing the source of formaldehyde from the environment.

How to prevent formaldehyde poisoning from air pollution

Avoid products containing formaldehyde, such as plywood and particle board

Plywood and particle board are often manufactured with formaldehyde, a colourless, flammable gas with a strong odour. It is used as an adhesive to bond timber sheets together. Plywood was probably the first wood-based composite panel to be commercially manufactured, with particle board and fibreboard being developed later.

Formaldehyde is a health concern, and prolonged exposure can have adverse effects. It can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. It is also a carcinogen, with evidence showing it can cause a rare cancer of the nasopharynx, the upper part of the throat behind the nose. Other short-term effects of exposure include headaches, a runny nose, nausea, and difficulty breathing.

To avoid formaldehyde poisoning, it is best to reduce your exposure to plywood and particle board products. When purchasing pressed wood products, look for those labelled as compliant with ANSI or California Air Resources Board Air Toxics Control Measure (CARB-ATCM) standards. These standards aim to reduce formaldehyde emissions from wood-based composite products.

Additionally, you can allow plywood and particle board products to off-gas before bringing them into your home. Remove the packaging and let the products air out for a few days. You can also ask the manufacturer to leave the product unsealed for a few days before delivery.

If possible, opt for formaldehyde-free versions of plywood or particle board. For example, Masonite uses steam and pressure for binding instead of formaldehyde.

Ventilate indoor spaces by opening windows and using fans

Ventilation is a crucial step in reducing formaldehyde levels in indoor spaces. By increasing the supply of fresh air, you can effectively lower the concentration of formaldehyde and mitigate the health risks associated with its presence. Here are some detailed steps to ventilate your indoor spaces properly:

Open your windows: Allow fresh air to circulate by opening windows in your home or workspace. This simple action can make a significant difference in reducing formaldehyde levels. Cross-ventilation, which involves opening windows on opposite sides of the building, can create a natural airflow and expedite the dilution of indoor pollutants.

Utilize fans: Mechanical ventilation is another powerful tool in combating formaldehyde. Exhaust fans, in particular, are effective in blowing indoor air out and facilitating the intake of fresh air. Place fans near open windows to maximize their impact. If possible, use exhaust fans in areas where formaldehyde-emitting products are used frequently, such as the kitchen or bathroom.

Central ventilation systems: For more comprehensive ventilation, consider using a central system such as a furnace air exchanger. These systems are designed to bring in fresh air from outside and distribute it throughout the building. They can be especially useful in larger spaces or buildings with limited windows.

Maintain good airflow during activities: Remember to ventilate indoor spaces when engaging in activities that may release formaldehyde or other pollutants. This includes cooking, using cleaning products, painting, or using cosmetic items like nail polish remover. By improving airflow during these activities, you can prevent the buildup of formaldehyde and other harmful substances.

Be mindful of new products: When introducing new furniture or pressed-wood products into your indoor space, be mindful that these items may release higher concentrations of formaldehyde when they are new. To mitigate this, air out these products by removing their packaging and allowing them to off-gas outdoors for a few days before bringing them inside.

By following these steps and combining them with other formaldehyde-reducing strategies, you can effectively reduce your exposure to formaldehyde and create a healthier indoor environment.

Control heat and humidity to reduce formaldehyde release

Formaldehyde is a colourless chemical with a strong odour that is commonly used in many manufacturing processes. It is a chemical used in the production of adhesives, bonding agents, and solvents. It is also a byproduct of combustion and other natural processes. Due to its widespread use, formaldehyde is present both indoors and outdoors. However, formaldehyde levels are usually much higher indoors.

Formaldehyde is released into the air through a process called off-gassing. High humidity and high temperatures accelerate the release of formaldehyde. Therefore, to reduce formaldehyde emissions, it is important to control heat and humidity levels.

• Use air conditioning to maintain a moderate temperature.
• Use a dehumidifier to reduce humidity levels. Remember to drain and clean the dehumidifier collection trays frequently to prevent the growth of microorganisms.
• Avoid smoking indoors. Cigarette smoke contains formaldehyde, and smoking produces high concentrations of formaldehyde in the air.
• Avoid burning wood products, fuel, paper, and other products indoors. The combustion of these materials releases formaldehyde into the air.
• Increase ventilation in your home, especially when using products that may contain formaldehyde, such as cleaners, paints, or cosmetic products. Open windows or use fans to bring in fresh air and blow out indoor air.
• When purchasing pressed wood products, choose those that are labelled as compliant with relevant standards, such as the ANSI or California Air Resources Board Air Toxics Control Measure (CARB-ATCM) standards.
• Allow products to off-gas before bringing them into your home. Remove the packaging and air out the products for a few days, or consider asking the manufacturer to leave the product unsealed for a few days before delivery.

By controlling heat and humidity and following these additional tips, you can effectively reduce formaldehyde release and minimize your exposure to this potentially harmful chemical.

Avoid smoking or vaping indoors

Smoking and vaping devices and fluids contain formaldehyde, a colorless, flammable gas with a strong odor. Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen, causing cancer of the nasopharynx, the upper part of the throat behind the nose. It is also an eye, nose, and throat irritant, causing headaches, a runny nose, nausea, and difficulty breathing.

Smoking and vaping indoors should be avoided as formaldehyde is released into the air from these devices. Formaldehyde is volatile and evaporates easily, so it quickly accumulates in indoor spaces. High humidity and high temperatures speed up the release of formaldehyde, so it is important to control the heat and humidity in the home through air conditioning and dehumidification.

Secondhand smoke contains many harmful chemicals in addition to formaldehyde, which can be detrimental to the health of those around you. The smoke from cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and heated tobacco products (HTPs) all contain formaldehyde, with e-cigarette vapor containing new forms of formaldehyde that can be drawn much deeper into the lungs than gaseous formaldehyde in cigarette smoke.

The risk posed by the formaldehyde content of e-cigarettes is greater than previously believed. In realistic conditions, formaldehyde in e-cigarettes is lower than in cigarette smoke, but only because dry puffs, which produce very high formaldehyde levels, are unpleasant and avoided by users. However, switching to lower nicotine concentrations in e-cigarettes is associated with greater formaldehyde exposure, as users tend to take longer and more frequent puffs.

Therefore, to prevent formaldehyde poisoning from air pollution, it is important to avoid smoking or vaping indoors.

Choose low-formaldehyde products when building or remodelling

Choosing low-formaldehyde products when building or remodelling is essential to reducing formaldehyde exposure and improving indoor air quality. Here are some specific guidelines to follow:

Opt for Solid Wood or Low-Emitting Wood Products: Instead of using particleboard or composite wood products, choose solid wood or softwood plywood for your furniture, cabinetry, and building materials. Softwood plywood often contains phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resins, which emit formaldehyde at lower rates than the urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins commonly found in particleboard and other composite wood products.

Check for Compliance and Certification: When purchasing pressed wood products, look for those that comply with relevant standards, such as ANSI or California Air Resources Board Air Toxics Control Measure (CARB-ATCM) standards. These standards set limits on formaldehyde emissions from wood products. Additionally, look for products with labels indicating low VOC (volatile organic compound) or low formaldehyde content.

Ventilate and Air Out: Increase ventilation, especially when introducing new sources of formaldehyde into your home. Open windows, use fans, or utilise a central ventilation system to bring in fresh air and dilute formaldehyde concentrations. Additionally, allow new wood products to off-gas by removing their packaging and airing them out before bringing them indoors. This process can reduce the initial high concentrations of formaldehyde released by new products.

Maintain Moderate Temperature and Humidity: Formaldehyde release is influenced by temperature and humidity. Keep your indoor temperature and humidity levels moderate by using air conditioning and dehumidifiers. Higher temperatures and humidity can accelerate the release of formaldehyde from certain products, increasing your exposure.

Avoid Smoking and Other Combustion Sources: Smoking, whether tobacco or vaping, is a significant source of indoor formaldehyde. Prohibit smoking indoors, and ensure proper ventilation of combustion sources like gas stoves or kerosene heaters to minimise formaldehyde and other combustion by-products.

Frequently asked questions