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Buckled laminate flooring after floodingFormaldehyde Gas Hazard & Source Research

Authoratative Experts Explain Formaldehyde Gas Risks, Odors, Sources, Health Effects

Formaldehyde gas sources in buildings: suppodrting research on both formaldehyde off-gassing sources, odors, tests, health hazards & expert advice.

This article series describes the health risks of exposure to formaldehyde gas in air or water, and we describe the proper steps to remove formaldehyde gas and formaldehyde gas emitting building products in order to improve indoor air quality in homes, offices, and other buildings.

Page top photo: some laminate flooring products can be a significant source of formaldehyde off gassing.

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Formaldehyde Odors, Hazards & Source Research

UFFI foam insulation in an old house (C) Daniel Friedman Here we've collected key formaldehyde gas hazard research in support of our article series on formaldehyde gas sources in buildings: causes, effects, and cures found in our RECOMMENDED ARTICLES list at the bottom of this page.

Photo above: UFFI, Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation installed in the attic of a Poughkeepsie, New York home. When new (in the 1970s) or if improperly mixed and installed, UFFI could be a source of problematic formaldehyde off-gassing in some homes. Generally, today, decades later, it would not be expected to be a problematic formaldehyde source.

  • Sexton, K., Lui, K. and Petreas, M.K. (1986) “Formaldehyde concentrations inside private residences: A mail-out approach to indoor air monitoring”, JAPCA, 36, 698-704.
  • Shaw, Michael D., Interscan Corporation [website] 4590 Ish Drive #110, Simi Valley CA 93063, USA Tel: 800-458-6153, Website: www.gasdetection.com Email: info@gasdetection.com Interscan is a provider of gas monitoring instruments designed for 21 environmental gases.

    The company provides gas detection instruments and record-keeping software custom-tailored to the needs of their customers.

    Mr. Shaw has contributed comment and opinion on gas detection and gas detection instruments discussed at InspectApedia.com, for example by corresponding with us and commenting
    on
    FORMALDEHYDE HAZARDS [web article]
    and
    GAS DETECTION INSTRUMENTS [web article]
    and
    COLORIMETRIC GAS DETECTION TUBES     [web article]
  • Shehab, Nadine, Michael P. Anastario, and Lynn Lawry. "Access to care among displaced Mississippi residents in FEMA travel trailer parks two years after Katrina." Health Affairs 27, no. 5 (2008): w416-w429.
  • Sherman, Max H., and A. T. Hodgson. FORMALDEHYDE AS A BASIS FOR RESIDENTIAL VENTILATION RATES [PDF] (2002). Indoor Environment Department Environmental Energy Technologies Division Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Berkeley, CA 94720
    Abstract

    Traditionally, houses in the U.S. have been ventilated by passive infiltration in combination with active window opening. However in recent years, the construction quality of residential building envelopes has been improved to reduce infiltration, and the use of windows for ventilation also may have decreased due to a number of factors.

    Thus, there has been increased interest in engineered ventilation systems for residences. The amount of ventilation provided by an engineered system should be set to protect occupants from unhealthy or objectionable exposures to indoor pollutants, while minimizing energy costs for conditioning incoming air.

    Determining the correct ventilation rate is a complex task, as there are numerous pollutants of potential concern, each having poorly characterized emission rates, and poorly defined acceptable levels of exposure. One ubiquitous pollutant in residences is formaldehyde. The sources of formaldehyde in new houses are reasonably understood, and there is a large body of literature on human health effects.

    This report examines the use of formaldehyde as a means of determining ventilation rates and uses existing data on emission rates of formaldehyde in new houses to derive recommended levels.

    Based on current, widely accepted concentration guidelines for formaldehyde, the minimum and guideline ventilation rates for most new houses are 0.28 and 0.5 air changes per hour, respectively.

    Excerpt:
    Formaldehyde likely is present in all houses as an indoor-generated pollutant. It is emitted from composite wood products (building materials and furniture), fiberglass insulation, paper products, permanent-press fabrics including clothing and drapes, and cosmetics (Kelly et al., 1999).

    It is also emitted as a combustion product from gas and solid-fuel sources and tobacco smoke. Generally, wood products fabricated with urea-formaldehyde resin (i.e., particleboard and medium-density fiberboard) are the highest emitting persistent sources. These materials are used in large quantity in most new house construction.

    In one typical new manufactured house, there were ~500 kg of composite wood products with ~40 m2 of bare surfaces comprising the cabinetry. These materials and the passage doors (25 m2 ) were the highest formaldehyde sources (Hodgson et al., In press). Formaldehyde emissions from such sources are expected to persist over relatively long periods.

    For example, the new house study has shown that formaldehyde is emitted by materials at relatively constant rates over a period of at least nine months (Hodgson et al., 2000).
  • Silberstein, S., Grot, R.A., Ishiguro, K. and Mulligan, J.L. (1988) “Validation of models for predicting formaldehyde concentrations in residences due to press-wood products”, JAPCA, 38, 1403-1411.
  • Starr, Thomas B., and James E. Gibson. "Understanding formaldehyde toxicity with the delivered dose concept." Trends in Pharmacological Sciences 5 (1984): 477-480.
    Excerpt:
    It is also a constituent of the phenolic resin binders used in fiberglass insulation and is present as a residual gas in urea--formaldehyde foam insulation. … Adverse effects of formaldehyde …
  • Trotec - www.trotec.de/ , or in English: Trotec - www.trotec.de/en/the-company/ a German producer of measuring equipment for construction diagnostics, with offices also in Austria and France, Tel. +49 (0) 2452 / 962-450, E-Mail:online@trotec.de
  • U.S.CDC, FORMALDEHYDE EXPOSURE IN HOMES:A REFERENCE FOR STATE OFFICIALS TO USE IN DECISION-MAKING [PDF] (local copy), U.S. CDC, Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, and the US EPA, - Original source http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehhe/trailerstudy/compendium.htm
    • "An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality: Formaldehyde", U.S EPA, - see http://www.epa.gov/iaq/formalde.html
    Quoting:

    Sources of Formaldehyde [in buildings]

    Formaldehyde is an important chemical used widely by industry to manufacture building materials and numerous household products. It is also a by-product of combustion and certain other natural processes. Thus, it may be present in substantial concentrations both indoors and outdoors.

    Sources of formaldehyde in the home include building materials, smoking, household products, and the use of un-vented, fuel-burning appliances, like gas stoves or kerosene space heaters. Formaldehyde, by itself or in combination with other chemicals, serves a number of purposes in manufactured products. For example, it is used to add permanent-press qualities to clothing and draperies, as a component of glues and adhesives, and as a preservative in some paints and coating products.

    In homes, the most significant sources of formaldehyde are likely to be pressed wood products made using adhesives that contain urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins.

    Pressed wood products made for indoor use include: particleboard (used as sub-flooring and shelving and in cabinetry and furniture); hardwood plywood paneling (used for decorative wall covering and used in cabinets and furniture); and medium density fiberboard (used for drawer fronts, cabinets, and furniture tops).

    Medium density fiberboard contains a higher resin-to-wood ratio than any other UF pressed wood product and is generally recognized as being the highest formaldehyde-emitting pressed wood product.

    Other pressed wood products, such as softwood plywood and flake or oriented strand board, are produced for exterior construction use and contain the dark, or red/black-colored phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resin. Although formaldehyde is present in both types of resins, pressed woods that contain PF resin generally emit formaldehyde at considerably lower rates than those containing UF resin.

    Health Effects of Formaldehyde in buildings

    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 a 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."      .

  • US CDC, "Final report on formaldehyde levels in FEMA-supplied travel trailers, park models, and mobile homes." Retrieved on December 28 (2008): 2008.. - Formaldehyde in Disaster Housing & FEMA Trailers
  • US CPSC, AN UPDATE on FORMALDEHYDE (2013) [PDF], U.S. CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission), - retrieved 2022/091/4, original source - https://www.cpsc.gov/PageFiles/121919/AN%20UPDATE%20ON%20FORMALDEHYDE%20final%200113.pdf

    Excerpt: This booklet describes what formaldehyde is, what products it may be found in, where you may come in contact with it, how exposure to formaldehyde may affect your health, and how you might reduce your exposure to it.
  • US CPSC, AN UPDATE on FORMALDEHYDE (1997) [PDF], U.S. CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission), 1977 Revision, Original source - http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/725.pdf, REMOVED from CPSC website on or before 2022/09/14
  • US CDC, CDC RELEASES RESULTS of FORMALDEHYDE TESTS [PDF] 14 February 2008, original source:
    - http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=42606 retrieved de-novo 2022/09/14 original source: https://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2008/r080214b.htm
    Quoting from portions of that document:

    NEW ORLEANS, La. -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released today preliminary results from recent testing that found higher than typical indoor exposure levels of formaldehyde in travel trailers and mobile homes used as emergency housing in the Gulf Coast Region.

    ... These findings support FEMA's continued focus on finding permanent housing for everyone who has been living in travel trailers and mobile homes since the hurricanes," said CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding. "The levels in many of these trailers and mobile homes are higher than would be expected indoors.

    Since these levels were found in December and January, and we know that higher temperatures can cause formaldehyde levels to go up, we think it's wise for people to be relocated before the hot weather arrives in summer. We also think that it would be beneficial for people who are displaying symptoms as well as households with children, elderly persons, or occupants with chronic respiratory illnesses to receive priority consideration for alternate housing.

    CDC's preliminary evaluation of a scientifically established random sample of 519 travel trailers and mobile homes tested between Dec. 21, 2007 and Jan. 23, 2008 showed average levels of formaldehyde in all units of about 77 parts per billion (ppb). Long-term exposure to levels in this range can be linked to an increased risk of cancer, and as levels rise above this range, there can also be a risk of respiratory illness.

    These levels are is higher than expected in indoor air, where levels are commonly in the range of 10-20 ppb. Levels measured ranged from 3 ppb to 590 ppb.

    CDC and FEMA recommend that Gulf Coast families living in travel trailers and mobile homes spend as much time outdoors in fresh air as possible. Residents should open windows to let fresh air in whenever possible, and try to maintain the temperature inside their travel trailers or mobile homes at the lowest comfortable level. Higher temperatures can cause greater release of formaldehyde.

    Persons who have health concerns are encouraged to see a doctor or another medical professional.

    The two agencies have established toll-free hotlines. FEMA employees are available to discuss housing concerns at 1 (800) 621-FEMA (3362), or TDD: 1 (800) 462-7585. CDC specialists will respond to health-related concerns at 1-800- CDC-INFO.

  • US EPA, INTERIM ACUTE EXPOSURE GUIDELIEN LEVELS (AEGLs) for FORMALDEHYDE (CAS Reg. No. 50-00-0) [PDF] U.S. EPA, retrieved 2022/09/14 original source:
  • US EPA, Formaldehyde: US EPA. UFFI (Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation) was previously considered a hazard (formaldehyde outgassing).

    Subsequent research virtually closed concern (Carson Dunlop Associates at https://www.carsondunlop.com/OBS/pdf/uffi.pdf ) regarding this material; however formaldehyde appears to remain a health concern for sensitive individuals. Original source: http://www.epa.gov/iedweb00/formalde.html

    Really? Yes, UFFI in any building will have long-ago off-gassed any excess formaladehyde. But that does NOT mean that there are no other sources of formaldehyde in buildings.
  • US EPA, QUESTIONS & ANSWERS REGARDING LAMINAE FLOORING [FORMALDEHYDE EMISSIONS] [PDF] U.S. EPA, retrieved 2022/09/14 original source: https://www.epa.gov/formaldehyde/questions-and-answers-regarding-laminate-flooring
  • US EPA, FORMALDEHYDE EMISSION STANDARDS FOR COMPOSITE WOOD PRODUCTS [PDF] US. EPA, retrieved 2022/09/14 original source: https://www.epa.gov/formaldehyde/formaldehyde-emission-standards-composite-wood-products

    See details in Code of Federal Regulations 40 CFR Part 77
  • US FEMA, FORMALDEHYDE LEVELS IN FEMA-SUPPLIED TRAILERS [PDF] Summary of a CDC Study in the Gulf Coast Region (2007-2008), U.S. Department of Homeland Security - FEMA, 20 July, 2007, original source (no longer online at FEMA by Sept 2022): - http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=36730 - version rtrieved 2022/09/14, original source: https://www.fema.gov/pdf/media/2008/formaldehyde_resident_flyer_english.pdf

    Quoting from portions of that document:

    Of the 120,000 travel trailers and mobile homes provided to survivors of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the Gulf, FEMA has documented 206 complaints of strange odors, including formaldehyde complaints.

    At residents' requests, FEMA switched out units for trailers that had already been used and ventilated. FEMA distributed information to trailer occupants across the country explaining how persons sensitive to formaldehyde may be affected by its presence and laid out actions that should be taken to reduce exposure in the trailers.

    All new, unused and unventilated travel trailers have formaldehyde in them. The concentration of formaldehyde can be reduced significantly by ventilating the units by running fans with open doors and windows.

    Other factors that affect the levels of formaldehyde indoors include the type and age of source materials, temperature and humidity. It also is important to recognize that some people are more sensitive to the effects of formaldehyde than others.

    Based on issues recently brought to our attention and new questions about health effects of formaldehyde, FEMA has again engaged the scientific community to review current concerns about the effects of formaldehyde on travel trailer residents of the Gulf. In conducting this re-evaluation, FEMA has teamed up with the Department of Homeland Security Office of Health Affairs (DHS OHA), and multiple agencies within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

    Of note, these evaluations will not be limited to formaldehyde, but will take a holistic view of analyzing symptoms and possible causes. T

    hese agencies will work together to determine the relationship between the air quality in FEMA's travel trailers and the health of the residents who live in them.

    The HUD standard places limits on formaldehyde emissions and product certification of all plywood and particleboard materials, which involves emission certification by a nationally recognized testing laboratory and a written quality control plan for each plant where particle board is produced or finished or where the plywood is finished.

    These standards have been required by HUD for manufactured homes, and now FEMA's specifications have incorporated those same standards for travel trailers.

    The HUD standards also require that each manufactured home be provided with a Health Notice on formaldehyde emissions as required by 3280.309 of the Standards.

    Adjustments to this will be made based on the findings of follow-up reviews by agencies responsible for determining the effects of formaldehyde and potentially setting standards.

  • Vallette, James FORMALDEHYDE ADDITIVES in US-MADE DRYWALL [PDF] (2010) - retrieved 2022/09/14, original source: the “Healthy Building Network” healthybuilding.net/blog/286-formaldehyde-additives-in-us-made-drywall

...

Continue reading at FORMALDEHYDE GAS SOURCES in BUILDINGS where we discuss how to remove, avoid, or eliminate indoor formaldehyde gas hazards or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

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