IAQ Home Survey Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling gas often found in aqueous (water-based) solutions. Commonly used as a preservative in medical laboratories and mortuaries, formaldehyde is also found in many products such as chemicals,particleboard, household products, glues, permanent press fabrics, paperproduct coatings, fiberboard, and plywood. It is also widely used as an industrialfungicide, germicide and disinfectant. Formaldehyde is a sensitizing agent thatcan cause an immune system response upon initial exposure. It is also a cancerhazard. Acute exposure is highly irritating to the eyes, nose, and throat and canmake anyone exposed cough and wheeze. Subsequent exposure may causesevere allergic reactions of the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. Ingestion offormaldehyde can be fatal, and long-term exposure to low levels in the air or onthe skin can cause asthma-like respiratory problems and skin irritation such asdermatitis and itching. Concentrations of 100 ppm are immediately danger