Uses: Shockingly, formaldehyde has been discovered in everything from wooden household furniture, personal care products, cleaning products, makeup, hairspray, nail polish, to children’s clothing! One specific study even found that clothes from Justice had been treated with formaldehyde. It is also found in exhaust fumes from many forms of transportation, including cars and buses. Formaldehyde is also often emitted from gas fireplaces, gas stoves, and other gas powered products, like lawn mowers.
Human Risks: If this chemical seems familiar to you, it may be because you have smelled this potent preservative that is used to embalm bodies and also to preserve animals in scientific dissections. There is a reason formaldehyde is only used on dead bodies: it is a known carcinogen and can also cause skin irritation, nausea, severe allergic reactions, flu-like symptoms, brain damage, burns, and more.
Environmental Risks: Formaldehyde is known to break down into carbon monoxide which is a gas that can be lethal to humans. This gas can also harm animals and other forms of life. Formaldehyde can also make animals sick and cause reproductive harm. It can cause mutations in animals and is highly deadly for aquatic life.
How to Avoid: Take the time to research wood suppliers, furniture companies, paint products, and other construction products before buying – I will eventually put out info about sustainable alternatives to these products on my website, but until then, shop consciously. Also avoid Justice and Claire’s when possible – these companies and other cheap looking clothing/products use more chemicals to cut corners and produce cheaper goods. I realize this may not be attainable for many people who can’t afford anything other than these types of clothes, but if you can avoid them, it is safer for your children. When buying a car, look for one that is highly fuel efficient. Also consider where and how often you are using fuel burners – you want to make sure you have good ventilation. Stay posted for an article giving sustainable clothing options that are free of formaldehyde!