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Formaldehyde Allergy - What is Formaldehyde? Where is it found?
By Alex Christie (BA Hons, LCHE, MARH, B.Inst.A.T.)
Formaldehyde allergy is caused by formaldehyde, a colourless, strong-smelling gas and important industrial chemical used to make other chemicals, building materials, and household products. It is one of the large family of chemical compounds called volatile organic compounds or VOCs. The term volatile means that the compounds become a gas at normal room temperatures. There are two types of formaldehyde resins: urea formaldehyde (UF) and phenol formaldehyde (PF). Products made of urea formaldehyde can release formaldehyde gas; products made of phenol formaldehyde generally emit lower levels of the gas. It is not important to know which type of resin is causing your formaldehyde allergy.
Formaldehyde serves many purposes in products. It is used as a part of:
• glue or adhesive in pressed wood products (particleboard, hardwood plywood, and medium density fibreboard (MDF))
• preservatives in some paints (phenol also), coatings, cosmetics and shampoos
• the coating that provides permanent press quality to fabrics and draperies
• the finish used to coat paper products
• certain insulation materials (urea-formaldehyde foam and fibreglass insulation).
Formaldehyde Allergy – What are the Symptoms?
Formaldehyde allergy is most likely when formaldehyde is present in the air at levels above 0.1 ppm (parts in a million parts of air) when it can cause watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes, nose and throat, nausea, coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, skin rashes, and allergic reactions. It has also been observed to cause cancer in scientific studies using laboratory animals and may cause cancer in humans. Typical exposures to humans are much lower; thus any risk of causing cancer is believed to be small at the level at which humans are exposed.
People can develop formaldehyde allergy reactions (allergic skin disease and hives) through skin contact with solutions of formaldehyde or non-crease clothing containing formaldehyde. Others have developed asthmatic reactions and skin rashes from exposure to formaldehyde. If these symptoms lessen when you are away from home or office but reappear upon your return, they may be caused by indoor pollutants, including formaldehyde. Examine your environment. Have you recently moved into a new or different home or office? Have you recently remodelled or installed new cabinets or furniture?
Formaldehyde is just one of several gases present indoors that may cause illnesses. Many of these gases, such as phenol, as well as colds and flu, cause similar symptoms.
Formaldehyde Allergy - What Affects Formaldehyde Levels?
Formaldehyde levels in the indoor air depend mainly on what is releasing the formaldehyde the temperature, the humidity, and the air exchange rate (the amount of outdoor air entering or leaving the indoor area). Increasing the flow of outdoor air to the inside decreases the formaldehyde levels. Decreasing this flow of outdoor air by sealing the residence or office increases the formaldehyde level in the indoor air and hence the likelihood of formaldehyde allergy symptoms.
As the temperature rises, more formaldehyde is emitted from the product. The reverse is also true; less formaldehyde is emitted at lower temperature. Humidity also affects the release of formaldehyde from the product. As humidity rises more formaldehyde is released.
Pressed wood products containing urea-formaldehyde glues, urea-formaldehyde foam insulation, durable press fabrics, and draperies release more formaldehyde when new. As they age, the formaldehyde release decreases, as does the likelihood of your experiencing symptoms from formaldehyde allergy.
Natural, Effective Treatment is Available for Formaldehyde Allergy
An allergy test using kinesiology will ascertain whether or not you have formaldehyde allergy, and whether there are any other chemicals such as phenol to which you are intolerant. Often exposure to one chemical can cause associated allergies to other chemicals. Homeopathic desensitization can treat your formaldehyde allergy, and any other chemical allergies that may be contributing to your symptoms. You take the homeopathic desensitising medication once or twice a day for a few weeks, together with other homoeopathic supportive remedies. Homeopathic remedies are safe for the whole family and cause no harmful side-effects. People find that they are free from symptoms within a matter of weeks.
 How can I help?
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Not sure if I can help? View more of my Allergy Case Histories << here >>
Case
Mrs G had been suffering from lethargy, headaches, poor sleep, respiratory problems, and had been feeling generally unwell and not herself for 6 months. She had not connected this change in health to her house being decorated exactly 6 months ago. Muscle testing revealed both a phenol and formaldehyde allergy. Both these chemicals are present in domestic paints and the exposure to both had caused her intolerance. Desensitisation to both chemicals restored her to her former good health and she has remained symptom-free since.
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