Formaldehyde-free products are becoming popular due to the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to formaldehyde, which is found in building materials, nail polish, resins, and other products. Companies are developing alternatives to formaldehyde, but labeling laws vary and consumers can request a formaldehyde test.
Formaldehyde-free products are products that are not manufactured with the use of formaldehyde, a chemical compound that has been linked to human health problems. Formaldehyde is a very useful and widely used chemical compound, and people are sometimes surprised to learn of all the places it can appear. Awareness of the health risks of prolonged exposure to formaldehyde has led many consumers to start looking for formaldehyde-free products due to safety concerns.
One of the more common uses of formaldehyde is in building materials such as insulation and particle board. Formaldehyde also appears in nail polish, resins, molded products, paper towels, paints, fabrics, explosives, adhesives and disinfectants. Research strongly suggests that formaldehyde may be carcinogenic and has also been linked to allergies and the development of health problems such as headaches, nosebleeds and skin rashes. The levels at which formaldehyde exposure can become dangerous are unclear, which is why many consumers are concerned about the use of formaldehyde in the products they use.
Products that contain formaldehyde gradually release the compound into the air, where it can be inhaled. People can also be exposed to formaldehyde when materials break down, such as when particle board starts to splinter and people inhale the dust. While a single formaldehyde-containing item may not be much of a risk, a room like a kitchen could include numerous examples of building materials that contain formaldehyde including paint, linoleum, kitchen cabinets, and so on.
Companies that produce formaldehyde-free products are committed to using alternatives to formaldehyde in the production of their products. Often, such products are more expensive, because the company may have to invest more time and effort in developing its products. Many companies want to develop formaldehyde-free products that are equivalent to formaldehyde-containing products, looking for the same level of durability and attempting to mimic other properties so that consumers aren’t disturbed by their decision to look for formaldehyde-free products.
Labeling laws for such products vary. People who are curious about whether a product labeled “formaldehyde-free” is truly formaldehyde-free can request a formaldehyde test, in which the chemical can be identified by a lab and the lab can determine how much of the chemical is present if it is identified. Concerned consumers may also consider purchasing things like building supplies through companies that vet their distributors to confirm that the claims they make are indeed true.
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