Formaldehyde, with its chemical formula CH2O, is a popular material used in all sorts of manufacturing processes. But while it’s versatile, it can also present hazards to human health. Formaldehyde sometimes causes irritation to the eyes and throat. In high concentrations, it can have other negative health effects, like skin rashes, shortness of breath, and changes in lung function.
If you’re curious about common sources of formaldehyde, let’s talk about six surprising objects that contain and sometimes leak formaldehyde.
Wrinkle-Free Fabrics
That crisp, wrinkle-free shirt you love might have a secret. Some fabrics get treated with resins that contain formaldehyde to keep them smooth and prevent wrinkles. When you wear these clothes, especially when they’re new, they can release small amounts of the chemical. The same goes for some bed linens and curtains that boast wrinkle-resistant qualities.
Nail Polish
A fresh manicure can make you feel put together, but some nail polishes contain formaldehyde. It’s used as a hardener to help the polish stick to your nails and prevent it from chipping. Every time you paint your nails with certain products, you could get exposed to small amounts of this chemical.
Cosmetics and Soaps
Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives appear in a variety of personal care products to extend their shelf life and prevent contamination. You might find them in some shampoos, lotions, and liquid soaps. Checking the ingredient list for certain types of preservatives can help you identify which products contain them.
Paper Products
You’d be surprised how many paper products contain formaldehyde. Paper towels, napkins, and even some glossy paper for magazines get treated with resins to increase their strength and water resistance. These resins can emit formaldehyde, especially when the products are new.
Composite Wood Products
Furniture and cabinets made from pressed-wood products like particleboard, plywood, and medium-density fiberboard (MDF) are a major source of formaldehyde. The adhesives used to bind the wood particles together frequently contain urea-formaldehyde resins. These products can off-gas formaldehyde into your home, particularly when new or in high humidity.
Display Cases
Some display cases can leak formaldehyde. The formaldehyde is most commonly present in the composite wood used to form their structure, or in the adhesives that hold their pieces together. For this reason, places like museums and archives regularly implement formaldehyde detection programs.
Because these locations often contain dozens, if not hundreds of these cases, monitoring the release of formaldehyde is important to keep the delicate items inside, as well as staff and visitors, safe.
Staying Aware of Your Surroundings
You’d be surprised by how many products contain and can release formaldehyde, despite its known health risks. This includes common household objects like wrinkle-free shirts, as well as objects many businesses use, like the display cases in museums. The good news is that awareness about these sources is growing, which leads to more available alternatives. Still, it helps to know where you might encounter this chemical in your daily life.
