Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring substance in the human body that can also be found in indoor air as a result of emissions from building materials and combustion byproducts like tobacco smoke. It’s naturally produced when decomposing plant and animal matter breaks down and enters the soil. It’s also used in many household products as a preservative. But at high levels, formaldehyde can cause irritation and breathing difficulties. It’s also a known human carcinogen, though the danger level at which it begins to pose a risk is debated by experts.Formaldehyde in indoor air can be caused by a number of factors, including paint, glue, cleaning products and even plants. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimize its presence in your home.
Formaldehyde is released from building materials as they break down, so the first thing to look at is your HVAC system. Make sure you change your HVAC filter regularly, as this can help trap some of the formaldehyde in your home. If you’re particularly concerned about indoor air quality, you can also consider an HVAC filter that’s designed to trap formaldehyde. The best way to know if you have high levels of formaldehyde in your home is to do a formaldehyde test. You can buy a test kit from a home improvement store, or you can hire a professional to test your air. If you find high levels of formaldehyde in your home, there are several steps you can take to reduce its presence.
One of the most obvious ways to reduce your exposure to formaldehyde is to avoid smoking indoors. Formaldehyde is one of the major components of tobacco smoke, so if you’re smoking indoors, you’re increasing your exposure to formaldehyde. You may have been advised not to smoke in your home in the past, but this advice is particularly important if you have young children or pets.Formaldehyde can also be found in car exhaust, so if you drive regularly, you’ll be exposed to it. You can reduce your exposure to formaldehyde by carpooling or taking public transportation, if possible.
Water damage can cause high levels of formaldehyde in your home, so it’s important to take steps to prevent this. You might want to consider installing a water-damage prevention system, such as a sump pump, if you live in a flood-prone area. If you have a broken pipe or a leaky toilet, you can reduce the amount of water damage by plugging the pipe or toilet. You can also install a water-resistant barrier, such as a plastic sheet, to protect your floors from the water. If you have a sump pump, make sure it’s working properly. If you have an older home, you may want to consider installing a dehumidification system. This can help reduce the amount of water damage in your home.
Potted plants are a great addition to any home, but they can produce a lot of formaldehyde. If you have a lot of plants in your home, you may want to consider replacing them with artificial plants. Artificial plants don’t produce formaldehyde, and they’re easy to clean and replace.
Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring substance in the human body that can also be found in indoor air as a result of emissions from building materials and combustion byproducts like tobacco smoke. It’s naturally produced when decomposing plant and animal matter breaks down and enters the soil. It’s also used in many household products as a preservative. But at high levels, formaldehyde can cause irritation and breathing difficulties. It’s also a known human carcinogen, though the danger level at which it begins to pose a risk is debated by experts.
Sometimes, all it needs for a place to become unhealthy are contaminants, molds, dust, unclean air, and pests. Without the sense of cleanliness, diseases thrive inside your home creating an unhealthy environment where kids and adults contract diseases, in turn, spreading the same in the neighborhood; while affecting the rest of the community’s physical and emotional state.
To achieve a healthy living space, one must develop the need to keep their home clean and organized. Start with common places at home like the kitchen, comfort room, living room, entertainment room, and dining room. Also, consider cleaning your private spaces regularly. These are your rooms, the house library, and the nursery among others. Remember that a healthy living space is not just about what you can see, it is also what you can smell and feel that makes it healthy.
Ever felt the need to sneeze more often? Have you seen pests and insects more regularly lately? For sure, one or two people inside the household have been sick from these. If you do, then you might be in an unhealthy home. Consider keeping a close look at common triggers for asthma and the like and you will see for yourself the need to turn your homes into a more comforting place to stay.