Formaldehyde is a chemical used in the manufacture of many products, including many plastics, upholstery, carpets, hard floor materials, and some furniture. It is also commonly used in varnishes, coatings, and older types of paint. Formaldehyde is quite unhealthy in moderate doses. So modern paints and some other products no longer use large amounts of formaldehyde.
People exposed to moderate levels of Formaldehyde in the air will suffer a sore throat, itching, nasal congestion, burning bloodshot eyes, and possible swelling of the throat. Over time the chemical will cause poor memory and cloudy thinking. It may lead to cancer, though this is uncertain.
There is a distinction between products that are only manufactured with the use of formaldehyde and products that later emit formaldehyde into the air. Many older paints and carpets will emit formaldehyde into the air for a few days or weeks after installation. Recently manufactured paints and carpets have much lower levels of the chemical than paints and carpets of generations or two in the past.
All homes will contain some formaldehyde. This can be greatly reduced by:
- Use an electrical air filter to clean the internal rooms. Find a system with activated charcoal or a HEPA filter.
- Plants will soak up a lot of pollution in the air.
- Let rooms air out for a few days after being painted. Open windows use fans.
- Cover newly carpeted floors with bi-carb of soda, and vacuum after a few days.
- Nail polish and other products contain formaldehyde. Only use these in ventilated areas or outdoors.
- Don’t use live fires, though some well-seasoned wood is ok for burning.
- Buy furniture that is certified to be low VOC (volatile organic chemicals).
- Air out dry cleaning before wearing.
Floor Sanding and Polishing
Solid wooden floors have no formaldehyde in their natural, raw state. This makes the safe, as well as long lasting and physically appealing.
Chemical coatings for wood, such as polyurethane, can emit chemicals while they are new. But they are safe after a week or so once they are a completely dry.
A natural wood floor is one of the most environmentally safe options.
These floors can be re-sanded every 10 years to restore their original appearance.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. No individual should take, or refrain from taking, any action solely based on the material contained in this article. While we aim to offer accurate and timely information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on the date of receipt or in the future. If you require more information or seek relevant legal advice specific to your circumstances, please contact our office.