Education Information
Formaldehyde
What is formaldehyde?
- It is a colourless gas with a pungent smell at high concentration
Sources
- Household products, but mainly from new carpeting, upholstery and drapes
- Insulation, especially mobile homes
- Pressed-wood products made with urea-formaldehyde resins
- Cigarette smoking
Health effects
- Bad smell
- Headaches
- Irritation to the eyes
- Irritation to the lungs
- Rashes
- Exposure of animals to high concentration can cause nasal cancer
How to reduce formaldehyde levels in buildings
- Avoid building materials, furnishings or other products that emit formaldehyde
- New furniture should be aired out for several days or weeks before they are admitted indoors
- Increase ventilation of the building
- Reduce humidity and temperature as high humidity and temperature increase formaldehyde emission.
