How to Reduce Formaldehyde Exposure in Your Home

ProPublica spent months investigating how a single underregulated toxic chemical — formaldehyde — creates an inescapable cancer risk for everyone in America. It’s in the air outside, at levels that fail to meet the public health goals set by the Environmental Protection Agency. And it’s in our homes, coming from our couches, our clothes and our babies’ cribs — sometimes at levels that can trigger breathing problems, allergic reactions and asthma.

We modeled pollution data and deployed our own air monitors to measure formaldehyde levels around us. We interviewed more than 50 experts and read thousands of pages of scientific studies and EPA records. During it all, we kept in mind the single question we knew readers would most want answered: How can I reduce my exposure?

The following are some common sources of the chemical and suggestions for reducing your risk, as informed by our reporting.

Wood Furniture and Floors

Be careful when buying new furniture. One of the most significant sources of formaldehyde in the home has traditionally been furniture made with composite wood that uses glues to bind strands, particles, fibers or boards together. The adhesives used in this type of furniture can contain formaldehyde, which goes through a process called off-gassing, where the chemical is released into the air over time. Federal regulators have set limits on how much of the chemical some composite woods can release. But those limits, set more than a decade ago, are still well above the level that EPA scientists recently established to protect people from asthma, allergic reactions and other breathing problems.So, at the very least, you want to look at the item’s packaging for a label that shows it is compliant with the standards set under the Toxic Substances Control Act.

The law covers goods made of hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard and particleboard. All products covered by the law must feature some sort of label saying they comply with TSCA, though the labels can look different from product to product. Compliance does not mean the item is formaldehyde free. It means the company is certifying that any formaldehyde emissions are at a low enough concentration to meet TSCA’s requirements. Some types of composite woods aren’t covered by the law, and while those are used mainly for structural projects, they can also be used to make furniture and shelving. So if you are unsure what type of composite wood a piece of furniture is made from, make sure to ask a salesperson or company representative before you purchase.

Another label you can look for is the California Air Resources Board Phase 2. That, too, doesn’t mean the furniture or flooring is free of formaldehyde, but that it adheres to the state’s emission standards, which are similar to the TSCA rules. Some manufacturers include this on their labels for goods sold in and outside of California. Two other labels to look for are “no-added formaldehyde” (NAF) or “ultra-low-emitting formaldehyde” (ULEF). Those mean the manufacturer’s product has gone through additional testing.

If you do buy furniture you suspect contains formaldehyde, environmental experts suggest you allow the item to air out for as long as one full week in a highly ventilated area, such as a garage, however impractical that may be. If that isn’t possible, leave the windows open near the furniture to improve ventilation. It can take as long as two years for items to release most of their formaldehyde, so buying secondhand could be better for your health as well as your wallet. Purchasing solid wood furniture, while expensive, is the best alternative when trying to avoid high levels of formaldehyde.

Cosmetics and Personal Care

Inspect the ingredients in your personal care products. The European Union banned formaldehyde in cosmetics, but in the U.S., the Food and D