Easy ways to reduce formaldehyde in indoor air

March 13, 2:16 PMSan Jose Environmental Health ExaminerLinda Kincaid, MPH, CIH

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Opening windows can reduce many contaminants that concentrate inside our homes. Our grandparents told us fresh air was healthy. When it comes to reducing exposure to indoor pollutants, Grandma was right!

Many building materials and consumer products emit formaldehyde into our homes. Formaldehyde irritates the eyes, throat, and lungs, causing health effects in many people at 0.1 ppm. It can trigger asthma attacks, and it is a carcinogen. EPA indicates there is no safe level of formaldehyde exposure.

• Building materials such as pressed wood products, adhesives, paints, and wood finishes. These materials can release formaldehyde for several years after a home is built or remodeled. More formaldehyde is released during hot or humid weather.

• Fresh air is the easiest solution to reducing formaldehyde in a home. Open windows for a few hours, several times a week to reduce formaldehyde from building materials. Ventilation is especially important the first few years after a home is built or remodeled.

• Citrus or pine-scented household cleaners and air fresheners contain chemicals known as terpenes. Although not harmful themselves, terpenes can react with ozone in the air to produce formaldehyde. Ozone tends to be higher in warm weather and in urban areas with a lot of cars.

• Fresh air is important after cleaning with pine or citrus-scented cleaners. Avoid cleaning during hot weather when ozone is highest, and use the smallest amount of cleaning product to do the job. Open windows to ventilate after cleaning.

• Permanent press fabrics can emit more formaldehyde than a similar area of pressed wood products. Permanent press draperies can increase the formaldehyde concentration in a room. New permanent press clothing in a closet can increase the formaldehyde concentration in a bedroom.

• Fresh air is especially important in rooms with new permanent press drapes. Open windows often, and consider alternate window coverings in bedrooms. Launder permanent press clothing prior to hanging in a bedroom closet, or store permanent press items in an alternate closet.

• Fingernail polishes and hardeners emit high amounts of formaldehyde. Fortunately, these cosmetics only emit formaldehyde for an hour or so after application. The best way to reduce exposure to formaldehyde after using nail polish is to open windows for a couple of hours to ventilate the room.

 Photo from Flikr:  Creative Commons.