Stan and Andrea Bassett were ill for months after they insulated and installed double pane windows in their 1940s Burlingame home. They had thousands of dollars in medical tests and medications. Eventually their doctors told them their problems were “all in your head”.
The Bassett's health issues were traced to formaldehyde from Pottery Barn furniture and "velvet" hangars. Although the furniture was four years old, their most serious illnesses did not begin until they sealed their home.
Their home was leaky before they updated. Fresh air infiltrated into their house and diluted formaldehyde emitted by their furniture. Weatherizing their home reduced the outside air entering the living space. Formaldehyde concentrated to levels that made them ill.
A room containing only Pottery Barn furniture had 340 ppb formaldehyde, more than the occupational exposure “ceiling limit”. Anyone spending time in that room could expect to become ill.
After removing the Pottery Barn furniture, formaldehyde dropped to 21 ppb. Much of the remaining formaldehyde was probably emitted from new unpainted MDF closet doors. The Bassetts can further reduce formaldehyde in the room by painting the MDF doors or replacing them with solid wood doors.
Having learned the importance of ventilation in a home, the Bassetts plan to install a ventilation system that will bring a continuous supply of fresh air into their home. They will also open their windows regularly.
With windows open, formaldehyde dropped to just 7 ppb, the same as outdoors. Stan and Andrea have finally resolved their health issues, and they can spend time in their home without becoming ill.
Free formaldehyde testing is available for residents of new homes in Los Altos.
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