Is it possible that it's formaldehyde causing so many reactions?

Posted by drsharon @drsharon, Nov 20 8:34am

I was wondering if it was the formaldehyde that is causing so many of my asthmatic and skin reactions that I’m developing. It’s in all of the fragrances, anything made with pressed cardboard or pressed wood, carpeting, candles, and even jigsaw puzzles!

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Nov 20 10:15am

@drsharon Preservatives, dust and scents really can affect allergies in sensitive individuals. I look for allergy friendly products for everything - cleaning, laundry, bathing, etc. My sister-in-law used to think we were "being dramatic" until she developed her own allergies.

Let's talk about your concerns individually -

Candles -
Cheaper candles are made from paraffin that can release toxic compounds including formaldehyde when burned. Paraffin is a petroleum byproduct, and these substances naturally occur in it, the chemicals are "bound" in solid form, so the toxins are released when burned. Artificial scents MAY also include formaldehyde as a preservative. All of these substances become airborne when the candle is lit.
Are "natural" candles like beeswax safer? Maybe...but these also emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds) when burned, which can also be an irritant.
The best advice - don't burn candles in an enclosed space unless you add plenty of ventilation.
One alternative - battery operated candles. We put the little "votive" ones into the top of decorative candles for atmosphere, but there are many tapers and other decorative styles available, including rechargeable ones.

Puzzles - I have long had a problem with the paper dust from new ones. We shake the bag of pieces before opening to get most of the debris to the bottom. Used puzzles, already exposed to the air and with less dust, are my go-to. You can also now look on puzzle boxes for "dust free" and "pfthalate free" or "eco-friendly" labels. I have seen them on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble and at Hobby Lobby.

Pressed cardboard & pressed wood -
Buy real wood products, buy used (all the out-gassing is finished).
Or look for low-emission pressed wood products. These won't be the cheapest products but they are available:
https://basc.pnnl.gov/resource-guides/certified-low-emission-cabinets-and-wood-products
One alternative is to leave new products in a safe space to "out gas" for a period of time, then in a well-ventilated space, and while wearing an appropriate respirator, coat all unfinished surfaces with a low-VOC varnish or other sealer - before assembling if possible.
I frame pictures a lot, and choose old wood frames or metal frames, and use acid-free mat board as the backing.

Carpeting -
The cleanest, safest alternative for keeping down allergens in NO carpet.
Hardwood floors (finished with low VOC sealers & varnishes) or safe brands of laminate flooring are easier to clean and maintain.
Or choose safe carpet - here is one guide on how to find it:
https://www.mychemicalfreehouse.net/2021/05/the-healthiest-non-toxic-carpet-brands.html
Fragrances - There are non-toxic fragrances available for home use and in perfumes, but the better option is to go as scent-free as possible.
Why? Even if you find a scent that is safe and pleasing to you, it doesn't mean others will not react. In our community, the common hall is a "scent-free zone" - for men and women alike. We privately and gently explain why to anyone who arrives "bathed" in cologne.

These sensitivities are nothing to mess with, as increased exposure usually makes things worse.
What other precautions do you take?

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Nov 20 2:39pm

Hi, @drsharon - I'd like to tag a few members who have mentioned in various groups across Mayo Clinic Connect something about formaldehyde causing reactions. @pkalkstein @colely @gjs @champton @jenniferhunter @lvnl @rashida @ailsas @northerner may have some thoughts from their personal experiences about whether formaldehyde could be causing so many of your asthmatic and skin reactions you've developed and also advise about how to pursue, if yes.

pkalkstein | @pkalkstein | Nov 20 6:51pm

A patch test showed 3rd grade allergy to formaldehyde. I got rid of a lot of my clothes. Things became better, but formaldehyde is everywhere; there really is no defense except constant care.

ailsas | @ailsas | Nov 20 9:05pm

In reply to @lisalucier "Hi, @drsharon - I'd like to tag a few members who have mentioned in various groups..." + (show)

@lisalucier I am hypersensitive to formaldehyde odors. I knew someone working with pathogenic fungi. Flormaldehyde was used as the mounting medium. The skin not protected by the eye pieces was burned. In my teens a doctor prescribed a formaldehyde mouth wash for mouths ulcers Luckily my mother listened when I complained. Cause of sores : vitamin B deficiency. All of which is to say it is highly toxic …it is embalming fluid

drsharon | @drsharon | Nov 21 7:28am

In reply to @sueinmn "@drsharon Preservatives, dust and scents really can affect allergies in sensitive individuals. I look for allergy..." + (show)

@sueinmn

Let's talk about your concerns individually -

These sensitivities are nothing to mess with, as increased exposure usually makes things worse.
What other precautions do you take?

Jump to this post

@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

pml | @pml | Nov 21 8:38pm

In reply to @sueinmn "@drsharon Preservatives, dust and scents really can affect allergies in sensitive individuals. I look for allergy..." + (show)

@sueinmn

Let's talk about your concerns individually -

These sensitivities are nothing to mess with, as increased exposure usually makes things worse.
What other precautions do you take?

Jump to this post

@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

Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Nov 23 10:35pm

In reply to @sueinmn "@drsharon Preservatives, dust and scents really can affect allergies in sensitive individuals. I look for allergy..." + (show)

@sueinmn

Let's talk about your concerns individually -

These sensitivities are nothing to mess with, as increased exposure usually makes things worse.
What other precautions do you take?

Jump to this post

@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.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Nov 24 2:00pm

In reply to @jenniferhunter "@sueinmn Excellent information Sue! I’ll add that there is a product called AFM Safecoat for sealing..." + (show)

@jenniferhunter And low VOC varnishes - including those suitable for finishing wood floors and wood trim. I had to find it when we remodeled.

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