Formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen, is in the news. While we know it causes far more cancers than any other air pollutant, somehow EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has proposed to double the amount of it the government considers acceptable for our families to breathe. He is nothing if not consistently industry friendly!
Tell EPA: Protect Our Children From Toxic Formaldehyde
This understandably might make you wonder where, exactly, formaldehyde could be lurking in your home. Here are seven household items likely to contain the carcinogen from past Mom Detective columns. If we haven’t mentioned an item that you might have in your home, keep in mind that formaldehyde found in cosmetics, candles and other fragranced products, hair relaxing and straightening products, and even food is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, not EPA. And for now, we’re talking about EPA’s plans.
Not sure if something is formaldehyde-free? You can always try to smell for it; that pickled, pungent smell that sometimes wafts from new furniture and more is formaldehyde off-gassing into the air.
1. Fleece and other synthetic fabrics
“Polyester can … contain a number of other questionable dyes and finishing chemicals. These aren’t specifically listed on clothing labels, so I can’t speak to their safety. But we know, for example, that formaldehyde, a classified human carcinogen, can be present in fleece as well as other textiles. It’s used to keep items from shrinking, and apparently, it can help with stain and mildew resistance.” Learn more reasons to avoid fleece.
2. Kitchen countertops and other composite wood products
“There is a dizzyingly large number of possible health concerns with countertops, depending on the material. And there are a lot of materials! Maybe you’ve already run across information about the resins used to make engineered quartz products or formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, in the composite wood used underneath laminate surfaces.” Learn how to find a safe countertop.
3. Furniture, especially items made of particle board
“Wood furniture is generally a safer bet than plastic, especially if it’s ‘naked,’ i.e. simply sanded without any finishes. Be sure that if it is painted, it’s been done with VOC-free paint, and shellacked with nontoxic material. Companies that aren’t using these toxic finishes will be proud to say so and usually list that on their website or somewhere on the product’s tag. Another option is to buy something naked and finish yourself with a VOC-free paint, which is widely available at every hardware store. When it comes to wood, it’s a good reminder to avoid particle board, which can emit toxic formaldehyde.” Read more tips for shopping for kids’ furniture.
4. Couches and other items made with foam
“Keep in mind there are other pitfalls beyond flame retardants that are worth avoiding in new furniture. These include:
- Stain- or water-repellent finishes, which can be made of PFAS chemicals that can be harmful to human (and pet!) health.
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in some polyurethane foams that release gases, including formaldehyde, and can pollute your indoor air.”
Learn more about finding safer furniture.
5. Sheets and so-called wrinkle-free fabrics
“A common wrinkle-free finishing agent is a resin that releases formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen. Think about it. Of course something “non-iron” is too good to be true. It begs the question, how is that possible? And the answer, all too often, is chemicals are added.” Learn more about the chemicals in bed linens.
6. Rugs made from plastic
“Polyester and polypropylene are essentially plastic fibers derived from petrochemicals. Rugs made with these materials include the cute and often highly patterned indoor-outdoor rugs that have flooded the market recently, seemingly out of nowhere. Various chemicals are used in their manufacturing process, and once in a home, the rugs can release toxic fumes, such as formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Given this, I am not sure why anyone sells these as ‘nontoxic’ rugs.” Learn how to find safer rugs.
7. Leaf blower emissions
“According to Mt. Sinai Institute for Exposomic Research, 30% of the gas and oil that gas leaf blowers use is unburned and released directly to the atmosphere. These emissions include carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, formaldehyde, benzene, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter. These can impact respiratory health and increase asthma risk and severity, and are also associated with heart disease, dementia, autism, and cancer, among other health concerns.” Read more about the health impacts of leaf blower pollution.
Join Moms in demanding EPA protect our children—and all of us—from this cancer-causing chemical. And do your best to limit exposure at home, if and where possible.