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IAQ Update
Formaldehyde: An Invisible Threat ?
According, to published reports, lawsuits have resulted in over $700 million in liability for indoor air quality (IAQ) issues with an average settlement being in the amount of approximately $1 million. A considerable amount of this IAQ liability results from alleged exposure to formaldehyde.
OSHA Standard (29 CFR 1910.1048) states and the World Health Organization recommends that formaldehyde should not exceed levels of 0.05 ppm in breathing air. When formaldehyde is present at or above 0.1 ppm your health may be affected. Exposure can cause many symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, nausea and or vomiting, coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, trigger asthma attacks, skin rashes, and headaches.
Formaldehyde is a colorless, pungent smelling gas. It is a volatile organic compound (VOC), and it is used in many building materials as a coating, resin or adhesive. There are different types of formaldehyde resin, such as: phenol-formaldehyde (PF), melamine-formaldehyde (MF) and urea-formaldehyde (UF).
The technical literature indicates UF products contribute most to indoor air pollution, because they are believed to release the most gas. PF products are believed to emit lower levels of gas.
Formaldehyde is a chemical that is used to make other chemicals and building materials. For example, it is used in the manufacturing of wood products such as hardwood, plywood, particle board, and fiber board. It isalso used in the manufacturing of some carpet backings, glues, urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) and preservatives. There are some materials that previously contained formaldehyde that either are no longer used or now contain less. Other sources that release formaldehyde include cigarette smoking and burning of wood, kerosene, and natural gas.
The rate at which products release formaldehyde can vary. Formaldehyde emissions will decrease as products age. When the products are new, high indoor temperatures or humidity can cause increased release of formaldehyde.
Formaldehyde causes cancer in laboratory animals and may cause cancer in humans. The risk depends upon amount and duration of exposure.
The risk of exposure to formaldehyde can be reduced by avoiding products that contain it, purchasing low-emitting products, increasing ventilation, avoiding wood products coating pressed with polyurethane coating, and maintaining moderate temperatures and low relative humidity. Formaldehyde levels can be measured. In cases where accuracy of results is important, only trained professionals should measure formaldehyde because of the difficulty of obtaining good data and interpreting the results. If you have concerns about formaldehyde exposure, OMNI can help with monitoring, control, and compliance programs.
Did you know Formaldehyde can cause?
Eyes, Nose & Throat Irritation
Nausea and or Vomiting
Chest Tightness
Coughing
Trigger Asthma Attack
Skin Rashes
Cancer
Did you know Formaldehyde was in these Products?
Natural Gas
Pressed Wood Products
Carpet Backings
Glues
Preservatives
Insulations Materials (UFFI)
Cigarette Smoke
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