Formaldehyde Testing
Professional Building Inspectors can quickly and reliably test your home or workplace for high levels of formaldehyde. Contact us at 516-295-2581 or info@professionalbuildinginspector.com.
What is Formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde is a commonly used chemical compound that exists in various forms and at room temperature, is a colorless, distinctive, pungent smelling, flammable and gaseous substance. Formaldehyde has been used in a number of industries such as: manufacturing building materials – like pressed wood products (mostly as an adhesive resin) often used in making furniture containing fiber board, plywood, and is also found in cigarette smoke, fuel burning appliances and kerosene space heaters.
Caution:
Formaldehyde has been shown to cause cancer in animals and according to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), formaldehyde may “reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen”.
Why continue to use formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde has exceptional properties that cannot be easily replaced by other products; therefore, it is necessary to continue its use until there are additional alternatives available on the commercial market.
Potential Health Related Issues
As mentioned on previous pages, formaldehyde can be found in many products that are all around us. Much of the formaldehyde that people are exposed to comes from its use in the production of polymers that are found in many products used to build and furnish our homes and offices. The chemical is commonly used in countless manufacturing processes and as a key ingredient in many building supplies and furnishings. The list of formaldehyde containing substances is extensive and can involve a number of common products.
In recent years, the health effects associated with elevated levels of exposure have brought to light the dangers from prolonged and repeated contact with the chemical. The major exposure risks associated with formaldehyde come from occupants inhaling contaminated air caused when the manufactured products "off gas".
Exposure to elevated levels of this substance should be avoided whenever possible as exposures to high levels of formaldehyde can trigger:
- asthma attacks
- headaches
- nausea
- difficulty breathing
- watery and/or burning eyes
- respiratory irritation