You often wake up sneezing and coughing, eyes itching, throat vaguely sore, feeling tired—it can’t be a cold; nothing lasts that long. You have been suffering for months, maybe years. “Allergies,” says the doctor. “Take an antihistamine.” But what are you allergic to?
Testing at the specialist’s office reveals a litany of things: grass, rabbit weed, alder trees, wheat, corn, apples … you may as well be allergic to life! What are you to do, stop eating and never go outside?
An often unrecognized hazard
It may be that the primary cause of your symptoms isn’t anything on the allergist’s list—but a common chemical being emitted from your clothing and furniture. It has been used for everything from embalming to woodworking, and you could likely find it in the wooden stand sitting by your bedside. It is difficult to escape the reach of the toxic substance known as formaldehyde.
Despite strong opposition from the chemical-making giants, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in its 2011 Report on Carcinogens, finally added formaldehyde to the list of known cancer-causers. Why the delay? Formaldehyde is used extensively by many manufacturing industries—and health concerns most always take a backseat to financial considerations.
How to tell if you are being affected
Symptoms of formaldehyde poisoning include:
- Watery, burning eyes
- Irritated throat and nose
- Stuffy nose
- Skin rashes
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
Long-term exposure can cause chronic bronchitis or cancer of the nose and throat. There is no good news about formaldehyde. It is a toxic chemical compound that has hundreds of applications across a range of industries—even in food preservation.
Could your be cleaning with poison?
Some people are more sensitive to formaldehyde than others. If you, or someone in your home, are experiencing symptoms that can’t be explained in another way, look for potential formaldehyde-emitting sources: Do you have furniture, cabinets, or paneling made of particleboard (the number one culprit).
Are you being exposed to cigarette smoke? Are you wearing no-iron fabrics (they are laced with formaldehyde) or even sleeping between no-iron sheets? Have you recently moved into a new home (the sub-flooring may be releasing formaldehyde) or purchased new furniture? Are you using harsh chemicals for cleaning?
Call your local health department and ask about formaldehyde sampling in your area. Solutions can range from simple (get rid of the affected furniture and begin using safer-for-your-home cleaning products) to complex (move to a different home), but your health and wellbeing are worth the effort.
Educate yourself on the dangers of formaldehyde—if you wait for the chemical companies and government agencies to protect your family, you may be waiting a long, long time.
Author Lane Goodberry focuses on health and the environment.
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