What is Formaldehyde
and why is it harmful?
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.
(source: www.epa.gov/iaq/formalde.html)
Where is Formaldehyde present in the home?
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.
(source: www.epa.gov/iaq/formalde.html)
Coates Walker Cabinetry only uses materials
that have been made without urea-formaldehyde resins.
|
