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Formaldehyde Dangers in Your Home
Does My Home Have Formaldehyde?
How can I know if my home has unhealthy formaldehyde levels?
There are small amounts of formaldehyde in nearly all homes.
Formaldehyde levels are higher in
- Homes with smokers. Tobacco smoke contains formaldehyde. If someone in your home smokes tobacco products, the smoke may be the greatest source of formaldehyde in your home.
- Homes with new products or new construction. Formaldehyde levels are higher in new manufactured wood products such as flooring and furniture. Formaldehyde can also be found in some fabrics.
New products that often contain high levels of formaldehyde include
- Some manufactured wood products such as cabinets, furniture, plywood, particleboard, and laminate flooring
- Permanent press fabrics (like those used for curtains and drapes or on furniture)
- Household products such as glues, paints, caulks, pesticides, cosmetics, and detergents.
Homes built after 1990
Newer homes are better insulated, so less air is moving into and out of the home. Less air movement can cause formaldehyde to stay in the home’s air longer.
Formaldehyde is also found in gas stoves, open fireplaces, and outdoor air pollution.
Note: Air filters generally don’t help lower levels of formaldehyde in your home. Overheating your home to “bake” out the formaldehyde also doesn’t work and may even raise formaldehyde levels.
How can formaldehyde in my home affect my health?
Health problems from formaldehyde can happen in anyone, but children, older adults, and people with asthma and other breathing problems are more likely to have these symptoms.
Health effects of formaldehyde are eye, nose and throat burning and irritation; nausea; skin rashes; and breathing difficulties in some people. High concentrations of formaldehyde can trigger asthma attacks.
Formaldehyde is also considered a known human carcinogen (cancer-causing substance), classified as a Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP) by the EPA. The World Health Organization recommends levels below 100 ng/L or 80 ppb.
Should I get my home tested for formaldehyde?
Since formaldehyde is present in so many building materials and household products, every home should be tested for the presence of this toxic chemical.
Manufactured Home HUD Compliance Certification
Central Home Inspections Inc. now offers manufactured home HUD Compliance Certification required for HUD compliance on all FHA/VA/HUD loans.