Formaldehyde in Buildings and Homes – a Health Concern?

Formaldehyde:

Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling gas that is widely used in the building industry, as an adhesive in many consumer products, including plywood, particle board, carpet and upholstery. Many travel trailers are widely composed of these products. Because of the materials used in their construction, mobile homes and travel trailers have long been known to contain higher levels of formaldehyde, particularly when they are new, and there is a lot of “off-gassing” of formaldehyde. Over time the levels of formaldehyde in these products normally decrease as “off-gassing” occurs.

Formaldehyde (HCHO) is considered a strong irritant and potent sensitizer. Inhalation of large amount of HCHO can cause severe irritation of the upper respiratory tract and death. Data from human exposures indicate that exposure to large concentrations of HCHO gas may lead to pulmonary edema. Even HCHO gas present in the workroom at concentrations of 1 to 11 ppm can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation. Formaldehyde has the potential to cause cancer in humans. .

Sources of formaldehyde in the home include building materials, pressed wood products (hardwood plywood wall paneling, particleboard, fiberboard) and furniture made with these pressed wood products. Urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI). Combustion sources and environmental tobacco smoke. Durable press drapes, other textiles, and glues.

What does CDC say about Formaldehyde?

Back in march of 2008, Dr. Julie Gerberding, the Director of the CDC held a press conference to announce the results of new formaldehyde tests on occupied trailers. Dr. Gerberding said the tests provided a snapshot of formaldehyde levels in FEMA trailers that helped the CDC “understand and confirm what we suspected all along,” she said, “that in some of these situations the formaldehyde levels are high enough where there could be a health hazard to the people who are living there.” Because formaldehyde levels are likely to rise in the summer as the heat and humidity increase the CDC made that those in trailers “be relocated to safer, permanent housing as quickly as possible, and certainly before the warm summer months arrive, because we want people to be as safe as they can possibly be."

Health Effects:

Formaldehyde, a colorless, pungent-smelling gas, can cause watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes and throat, nausea, and difficulty in breathing in some humans exposed at elevated levels (above 0.1 parts per million). High concentrations may trigger attacks in people with asthma. There is evidence that some people can develop sensitivity to formaldehyde. It has also been shown to cause cancer in animals and may cause cancer in humans.  Health effects include eye, nose, and throat irritation; wheezing and coughing; fatigue; skin rash; severe allergic reactions. May cause cancer. May also cause other effects listed under "organic gases." 

Concentration levels:

Monitoring for Formaldehyde:

Indoor air quality is a very site-specific issue and should be monitored as such. Some factors affecting the frequency of monitoring and the types of testing employed are size, location, occupant characterization, activity level and categorization, and, of course, complaints logged.

Typical commercial space monitoring occurs monthly or quarterly, while residential monitoring may be done on a seasonal basis. Any real estate, commercial and or residential, that is being bought or sold should be evaluated. 

How can I measure Formaldehyde?

Vapor monitor badges, such as the Formaldehyde Screen Check (FOSC), have been used over 25 years by VA, Armed Forces, many health care facilities, and by some of the largest industrial corporations throughout the world as well as consumers

The Formaldehyde Screen Check (FOSC) monitoring benefits include:

Can be used to measure personal exposure or room exposure in homes, businesses or industry

Easy to use and inexpensive

Data validated for accuracy

Analyzed by a AIHA accredited lab

Meets OSHA accuracy Requirements

Patented product (badges)

Written report

Where can I purchase the Formaldehyde Screen Check (FOCS)?

The Formaldehyde Screen Check can be purchased at a number of distributors nationally such as Ferguson, Carrier Air Conditioning, Victors Distributors, Yandle-Witherspoon Supply or on-line at www.IndoorAirTest.com or call toll free 1-800-422-7873 ext 303.

Additional IAQ Screen Check products are available: Mold Screen Check, Fiberglass Screen Check, Dust Mite Screen Check, Organic Vapor Screen, FAST Screen Check, RAPID Screen Check, and Allergen Screen Check among others.

Who Should Use Formaldehyde Screen Check (FOSC) ?

Real Estate Professionals

FEMA

Insurance Claim Adjusters

Industrial Hygienists

Homeowners

HVAC Engineers

Building Managers

Facility Managers

Facility Operators

Architects

Government Officials

Engineers

County, City, and State Officials

Building Maintenance Supervisors

Test and Balance Professionals

Educators

School and Plant Operators

Hospital Engineers

Physicians

About the company:

Founded in 1984 by Alan Wozniak, President/CEO in what began as a small mechanical contracting business has grown into an award winning, industry leading indoor environmental quality (IEQ) service company serving many fortune 500 corporations, school boards, county, city, state and federal governments and consumers across the US.  The firm has serviced over 500 million square feet of indoor environments in over 10,000 facilities.  Clients include: Walt Disney World, Siemens Controls, Johnson Controls, Carrier Corporation, Jones, Lang LaSalle, CB Richard Ellis, General Services Administration (GSA), FAA among many others. 
 
Today, Pure Air Control Services offers comprehensive IEQ services including:
 
* Building Sciences - Forensic level IEQ investigations, expert testimony and project management www.pureaircontrols.com
* Building Health Check - economical IAQ building evaluations www.buildinghealthcheck.com
* Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDLab) - AIHA accredited environmental microbiology laboratory - the only Florida lab accredited in mycology, bacteriology, and microscopy.www.EDLab.org
*  IAQ Screen Check/evalu-aire products - do-it-yourself screen testing product available directly to consumers and is also available through distributors www.IndoorAirTest.com,
* Building Remediation Sciences (BRS) - HVAC system cleaning and Mold remediation www.BRSciences.com
*  IAQ Learning Institute - IAQ training via webinars and in-class programs
 
Pure Air Control Services state-of-the-art corporate headquarters is located at 4911 Creekside Dr, in Clearwater, Fl serves as distribution point for its IEQ services and products.  With satellite offices in Houston, TX, Atlanta, GA, West Palm Beach, FL., Alexandria, VA., Los Angles, CA., the firm is prepared to service IEQ issues and concerns on a national basis. 

For more information, visit the companies web site at www.pureaircontrols.com or contact Ed Ziegler, VP Business Development at 1-800-422-PURE (7873) ext 804.