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DiscussionIs it possible that it's formaldehyde causing so many reactions?
Asthma & Allergy | Last Active: Nov 24 2:00pm | Replies (8)Comment receiving replies
Replies to "@drsharon Preservatives, dust and scents really can affect allergies in sensitive individuals. I look for allergy..."
@sueinmn
Hi Sue!
I was surprised about anything being in puzzles. My husband and I loved to do puzzles. He even made a special puzzle table for us to do them on. He put an edge on it so the pieces wouldn't fall off. However, we purchased one puzzle that was new and smelled so strong from something that it irritated my nose. We didn't even do it. We just threw it out. From then on we did only the old used ones that we got at second hand stores. We had no further problems. The old puzzles also fit better and are better made. We preferred the ones that are actual photographs of beautiful scenery.
My husband died of lung cancer in 2024 but I still sit down in the evening at the puzzle table he made and do a puzzle. It's very relaxing and I feel closer to my husband and not so lonely.
PML
@sueinmn Excellent information Sue! I’ll add that there is a product called AFM Safecoat for sealing wood products to stop out gassing. I used this when our house was built and sealed all the plywood subfloors before pre finished hardwood was laid on top. I also sealed the bottom of countertops and edges of cabinets because they are usually MDF with a fake wood layer over it, and then the doors are real wood. This was possible because we had access during construction. We also had them use formaldehyde free insulation and this made a big difference in reducing formaldehyde from building materials. We have no carpet, just hardwood and ceramic tile. There are also wall paints that are low VOC.
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@sueinmn Thanks for the advice. I’ve cleaned pretty much everything toxic out of my house and have now included all chemicals and preservatives in my scent free products, eat organic, unprocessed food, make my own creams and cleaning products. I’m under control if I don’t go anywhere risky and was doing great until I started doing a puzzle (which had been previously done by a friend) Needed my emergency inhalers and my skin on my hands got dry and cracked. I had no idea there was formaldehyde (or maybe something else?) in it. The brand was Eurographics but it might just be I’m hypersensitive. Thanks for all the advice. This is a great site