8 ways to reduce our formaldehyde exposure at home

8 ways to reduce our formaldehyde exposure at home

Although formaldehyde is often present in low concentrations in our homes and in everyday objects, this does not mean that, over time, we cannot develop a certain sensitivity. In some cases, for example, prolonged exposure to formaldehyde can cause symptoms such as cough, nausea, difficulty breathing, asthma, skin reactions and allergic reactions. More than being alarmists, however, we must be careful and foresight. The presence of formaldehyde in our homes can in fact be limited by resorting to a few small precautions:



He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him

Coatings, glues, paints, furniture, cosmetics and many other elements and objects of daily use are united by containing formaldehyde, a colorless gas with numerous derivatives and a thousand properties: a powerful bactericide and disinfectant but also a commonly used fixative, as well as a excellent preservative (it is used for this purpose in some cosmetic products and for detergents and is also used as a food additive with the initials E240).



However, it is a pity that prolonged exposure to formaldehyde (whose molecules tend to be released over time into the surrounding environment, making it one of the most common indoor pollutants) either potentially toxic: just think that, already in 2004, theInternational Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)put it in the list of carcinogenic substances for man.

In order to take the right precautions and defend yourself, you need to know what the "most common and widespread sources of formaldehyde.

Here is a list:

  • Paints, adhesives, insulating foams, treatments and finishes for floors e parquet.
  • Products in wood pressed, plywood, chipboard, medium density fibreboard (MDF).
  • Smoke of fireplaces e stoves.
  • paper treated, wallpaper, cardboard.
  • drapery printed.
  • Gas from combustion.
  • I smoke from tobacco.
  • Some cosmetics.
  • Garments treated for do not crease and stay "naturally" stretched.

Although formaldehyde is often present in our homes and in everyday objects at low concentrations, this does not mean that, over time, it cannot happen to us develop a certain sensitivity. In some cases, for example, prolonged exposure to formaldehyde can cause symptoms such as cough,nausea, breathing difficulties, asthma, skin reactions e allergic reactions. More than being alarmists, however, we must be careful and foresight. The presence of formaldehyde in our homes can in fact be limited by resorting to some little trick:



Index

Do not smoke (and do not smoke) in the house!

Well yes, the smoke of cigarette it also hurts because it exposes us to formaldehyde. So, if you really don't want to quit smoking, at least try not to do it indoors (and, in general, in the closed spaces).

Keep fireplaces and stoves clean

Make sure that stoves and fireplaces are always in good condition and that there are no obstructions along the flue, so that the smoke never spreads inside the house. Only burn well seasoned firewood and not timber coming from old furniture or in any case destined for other uses: it may have been treated and release into the environment harmful substances.

Beware of combustion gases

When do you use gas powered instruments (from lawn mowers to garden snow blowers), take care of keep the doors and windows of the house tightly closed, so that the released substances do not penetrate inside. Also, it would be good to keep these tools, if possible, in a garage or in one closetseparated from your home.

Prefer natural furnishings and solid wood furniture

Solid wood is preferable to pressed wood because it is not treated with glues and, consequently, is free of formaldehyde. If however it is too expensive for your pocket, why not give it a try recycling and with the purchase of used furniture? In fact, "used" does not necessarily mean "old" and "ugly": on the contrary, if you look well, you may come across real opportunities!


If you use paints at home, keep them windows i aperte

If you are painting the walls or doing some other paint-based household chores, always remember to keep the windows open and to air the room even after you are finished. You should also know that some excellent ones are now available on the marketecological paints, to eliminate the formaldehyde problem at the root!


Air out your newly purchased furniture before placing it indoors

If you have purchased new furniture made of pressed wood, chipboard and the like, get rid of it before bringing it into your home the packaging and expose them for a while toairopen.

Ventilate your home regularly

To lower the concentration of formaldehyde in the house, always remember to open the windows and to let in fresh air every day.

Keep some in the house plants

Having some plants in the house, in addition to making the spaces more pleasant and liveable, helps to make the air more breathable. In this regard, we remind you of the 15 indoor plants that help purify the air in the house.

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