Texas Building Science Experts Share Important Formaldehyde Exposure Information

AUSTIN, Texas - Feb. 3, 2015 - PRLog -- Formaldehyde is a chemical widely used by industry in the manufacture of building materials and numerous household products.  Its primary use is in the production of resins and as a chemical intermediate. Formaldehyde is also a by-product of combustion and can be found in cigarette smoke.

As far back as 1987, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classified formaldehyde as a probable human carcinogen.  The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) does classify formaldehyde as a human carcinogen and the California Air Resources Board (ARB) has classified formaldehyde as a Toxic Air Contaminant.

In many indoor environments, the most significant sources of formaldehyde are often from off-gassing of pressed wood products made using adhesives that contain urea-formaldehyde resins. Pressed wood products made for indoor use include particleboard, hardwood plywood paneling and medium density fiberboard.  Medium density fiberboard is generally recognized as being the highest formaldehyde-emitting pressed wood product.  Formaldehyde is also released from some types of insulation, paints, coatings, lacquers and other materials.

“Both short- and long-term health concerns can arise from people breathing formaldehyde that has off-gassed into their indoor environment,” said Hollis L. Horner, President of Indoor Environmental Consultants, Inc. “Health effects due to exposure may include eye, nose and throat irritation; wheezing and coughing; fatigue; skin rash; severe allergic reactions and possibly cancer.  Elevated concentrations may even trigger an asthma attack in some asthmatics.  At IEC, our indoor air quality professionals provide testing for formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds to identify their presence.  If high levels are found, IEC can provide guidance on solutions to rectify the situation to ensure the air is healthy for all building occupants.”

To learn more about IEC’s formaldehyde and other indoor environmental quality testing and consulting services, please visit www.iecinc.net, email ncancino@iecinc.net or call (877) 432-8378.

About Indoor Environmental Consultants, Inc.

IEC began operations in 2001 with some of the nation’s most seasoned professional indoor air quality consultants who already had over 70 years of combined experience.  The indoor environmental quality firm specializes in field investigations and assessments of commercial, institutional and residential buildings.  Their services, related to fungal (mold), chemical, bacterial, asbestos and particulate pollutants, are offered throughout Texas, the Gulf Coast and the Southwest. IEC is licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services as a mold assessment company (ACO0114) and an asbestos consultant agency (100329).