We recently tested several new homes for formaldehyde in the air. The newest home, advertised as a “green” home, had 300 ppb of formaldehyde. Children in homes with only 30 ppb can have decreased lung function. Between 60 ppb and 120 ppb, children are more likely to have asthma and chronic bronchitis. At 100 ppb, most adults experience eye, nose, and throat irritation.
Of homes that were less than 2 years old, every home we tested had at least 100 ppb of formaldehyde. The newer homes had 200 – 300 ppb.
The 300 ppb concentration we found in the newest home is equal to the 15-minute Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) for occupational exposures. A worker in that home should wear a respirator to remain inside the building for more than 15 minutes. An employer that exposes workers to 300 ppb of formaldehyde should have a Hazard Communication Program to inform workers about chemical hazards and ways to avoid illness.
There are no similar requirements in homes. Builders and real estate agents do not test for formaldehyde before they sell a home. They do not disclose that new homes can have high levels of formaldehyde. Most home buyers do not know new homes can make them ill. Most parents do not realize that formaldehyde in the home can aggravate a child’s asthma.
Home buyers can protect themselves by requiring the builder or agent to confirm their new home does not contain hazardous levels of formaldehyde. Once they have moved into their new home, occupants should ventilate the home by opening the windows for several hours a couple of times each week. Continue ventilating the home for several years, because it takes a number of years for new building materials to release most of the formaldehyde they contain.
Photo from Flikr: Creative Commons
Related Articles:
Dream Kitchen or Health Hazard: Formaldehyde and Indoor Air Quality
Formaldehyde from Citrus Cleaning Products
Open Windows for A Healthier Home
Easy Ways to Reduce Formaldehyde from Building Materials
So, if a builder were to actually create a ‘green’ home, one using materials that don’t release toxins into the air… would they have to spray it with ‘new house’ smell to make it more salable?
So, if a builder were to actually create a ‘green’ home, one using materials that don’t release toxins into the air… would they have to spray it with ‘new house’ smell to make it more salable?
Formaldehyde is the last thing that people should have to worry about when buying a home, and this situation needs to be regulated for safety reasons, but I wish this article spoke more about the sources of formaldehyde – sighting specific products – and alternatives that people should look for.
Formaldehyde is the last thing that people should have to worry about when buying a home, and this situation needs to be regulated for safety reasons, but I wish this article spoke more about the sources of formaldehyde – sighting specific products – and alternatives that people should look for.
Global Patriot,
For more information on formaldehyde, please see the previous articles referrenced at the bottom of this post. For more comprehesive information, follow the link to the EPA site on formaldehyde.
Global Patriot,
For more information on formaldehyde, please see the previous articles referrenced at the bottom of this post. For more comprehesive information, follow the link to the EPA site on formaldehyde.
Linda,
Congradulations on your article. This is the first published article we have found that included reliable data on testing for formaltehyde in the home. The results are very concerning.
Our company (www.venconusa.com) promotes MEISTER flooring a healthy and sustainable “green” flooring products and one of the major issues has been the level of formaldehyde in the flooring. As you know Californa (CARB) has just enacted legislation that limits the amount of formaldehyde at about .08 ppm. This legislation pertains to all composite wood materials including flooring, kitchen cabinets, decorative panelling etc. so the impact on green contruction is significant.
Obviously there is a great difference between the formaldehyde in home according to your research 300 ppm and the level found in new products 1.e. Meister floors at .05 ppm and the California legislation. There is certainly much to be done but your article is of great benefit and will open a lot of eyes.
Many thanks.
Linda,
Congradulations on your article. This is the first published article we have found that included reliable data on testing for formaltehyde in the home. The results are very concerning.
Our company (www.venconusa.com) promotes MEISTER flooring a healthy and sustainable “green” flooring products and one of the major issues has been the level of formaldehyde in the flooring. As you know Californa (CARB) has just enacted legislation that limits the amount of formaldehyde at about .08 ppm. This legislation pertains to all composite wood materials including flooring, kitchen cabinets, decorative panelling etc. so the impact on green contruction is significant.
Obviously there is a great difference between the formaldehyde in home according to your research 300 ppm and the level found in new products 1.e. Meister floors at .05 ppm and the California legislation. There is certainly much to be done but your article is of great benefit and will open a lot of eyes.
Many thanks.
Hi Linda,
you mentioned in your article: “The 300 ppb concentration we found in the newest home is equal to the 15-minute Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) for occupational exposures.” However, the OSHA website says: “Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL): The employer shall assure that no employee is exposed to an airborne concentration of formaldehyde which exceeds two parts formaldehyde per million parts of air (2 ppm) as a 15-minute STEL.” Please could you advise why is the difference? Thanks a bunch! Rocky
Hi Linda,
you mentioned in your article: “The 300 ppb concentration we found in the newest home is equal to the 15-minute Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) for occupational exposures.” However, the OSHA website says: “Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL): The employer shall assure that no employee is exposed to an airborne concentration of formaldehyde which exceeds two parts formaldehyde per million parts of air (2 ppm) as a 15-minute STEL.” Please could you advise why is the difference? Thanks a bunch! Rocky
We just built a homeandthe test cameback at .038 ppm! What do I do from here? Contact who?? Please help if you can
Here is a link with more information and a TSCA phone number to call for assistance: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/formalde.html#Additional%20Resources
Hope this helps.
-Matt Smith, Green Building Elements Editorial Team
Phytofilter Technology Inc. in conjunction with the EPA and New York State Energy and Research Authority funded a $450,000 3 year study conducted at Syracuse University’s Center of Excellence where formaldehyde was tested within a building to a level of 2 ppb. There it was found that by using a plant air purifier formaldehyde in the air was all but eliminated. See http://www.phytofilter.com
Phytofilter hopes to shortly be manufacturing both a portable and built in unit for entire structures. This is a NASA spin off technology. To learn more about plant air purification and its removal of formaldehyde go to the above website where you will see videos, scientific studies, testimonials, articles and a slide show. There is a way to remove formaldehyde from the home or office environment. You are not helpless and your children need not be at risk.