Formaldehyde in Household Products

Most of us have come to depend upon chemical formulations which help us clean, freshen the air, and otherwise assist with our household responsibilities. With the formulation of new products seemingly every day we risk exposure to new chemicals and new combinations of chemicals found in most of today’s handy products. And, some of the old chemicals which have slowly poisoned us for years are still found in products on today’s market.

Some products we use and take for granted could actually be harming us without us being aware. Sneezing, sore throat, coughing, asthma, diarrhea, and headaches are only some of the side effects that the continued use of modern products can cause. The list of dangerous chemicals that are in ordinary household products is quite long and frightening. Some of these dangers include the chemical nitrobenzene, phenol, cresol, ammonia and formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde is also listed on labels as formalin, urea, phenol formaldehyde, methanal, methylene oxide, oxymethyline, methylaldehyde, and oxomethane. Formaldehyde can be responsible for eye, ear and nose irritations as well as recurring sore throats. And people with asthma can have more frequent and more severe attacks when exposed to even low levels of formaldehyde.

Other symptoms of formaldehyde poisoning are nausea, tightness in chest, wheezing, skin rashes and stuffy nose. Large amounts of formaldehyde can cause vomiting, coma and even death. Formaldehyde has also been linked to brain cancer, lung cancer and leukemia. Household poisons pose a real threat to little children who often touch surfaces then put hands in mouth. Formaldehyde is an even great danger to those who work around building supplies which often contain the dangerous chemical.

Formaldehyde can be found in some paints, cosmetics, glues and nail enamels. Not all of these products contain formaldehyde but many do. After checking the label decide against purchasing products which contain formaldehyde in any form. It’s a good idea to say “no” to many of the chemicals we now use in our homes and on ourselves so check labels, read up on product health hazards, and switch to all-natural products or ones that specifically avoid using formaldehyde and other poisons.