Research in 2006-2007 found that modern California homes can have more formaldehyde than the average (77 ppb) in the Katrina FEMA trailers. The study found that air exchange rates are low, often as low as 0.2 air exchanges per hour (ACH). Some of those homes had more than 100 ppb formaldehyde.
The study was sponsored by the California Air Resources Board and the California Energy Commission. The lead investigator was Francis Offermann, a San Francisco engineer and industrial hygienist. The project included comprehensive indoor quality assessments of numerous homes, including measurements of formaldehyde in room air.
In homes with no mechanical outdoor air ventilation (the majority of California homes), one quarter had greater than 60 ppb formaldehyde. Research reported by OEHHA found that children in homes with 60 ppb formaldehyde are more likely to have asthma and chronic bronchitis.
Several homes had formaldehyde around 100 ppb formaldehyde. The highest was 116 ppb. EPA indicates most adults will experience respiratory irritation at 100 ppb formaldehyde.
Formaldehyde is also a carcinogen. The Chronic Reference Exposure Level (CREL) set by the state of California is just 7.3 ppb.
Offermann and his co-authors state,
This study suggests that consideration should be given to installing mechanical outdoor air ventilations systems in new single-family residences to provide a dependable and continuous supply of outdoor air to the residence.
An equally relevant recommendation would be to reduce the amount of materials in a home that emit formaldehyde. Building materials exist that do not release substantial formaldehyde. Builders will use safer materials when buyers demand healthier homes.
Buyers can protect themselves by requiring a new home be tested for formaldehyde prior to purchase. They can do the test themselves, or they can hire an industrial hygienist.
At present, builders and real estate brokers are not receptive to testing formaldehyde. However, the cost of chronic illness exceeds the cost of testing. The grief of a child’s suffering outweighs the frustration of an adversarial builder or broker.
Free formaldehyde testing is available for new Los Altos homes.
Photo from Flikr: Common License.
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Comments
Great article Linda. You have a fan here who reads ALL of your articles and I am a real estate broker so not ALL Realtors are unaware of this. In fact now I look for excuses to talk to home owners about formaldehyde (thanks to you) and encourage them to test for it :-)
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