Formaldehyde is an indoor pollutant that requires special attention due to its health effects. Nevertheless, this hazardous material can be found hidden in a broad range of common household products. It can become a pollutant that creates considerable health risks if no awareness of it exists. So, how to remove formaldehyde from indoor air? Here is a complete resource on what formaldehyde is and dangers it brings, and how to reduce or even remove formaldehyde for healthier, happier air at home.
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What Makes Formaldehyde Dangerous?
Formaldehyde is a volatile organic compound which evaporates easily, forms a gas quickly, and can easily enter into indoor air. Formaldehyde is a volatile chemical that is present in many common household products. For example, almost all manufactured wood furniture – particle board, plywood, etc. – contains formaldehyde.
Additionally, paint and other adhesives/glues used for construction or decoration also contain formaldehyde. Because it is a VOC, formaldehyde can very easily evaporate and be inhaled into the airspace of your home, without you even knowing.
There are many health risks for humans who are exposed to formaldehyde. Once someone has come in contact with formaldehyde or had short-term exposure, they may experience a range of health risks, such as irritation of the eyes. This may include burning or tears.
Formaldehyde can also irritate the nose and throat, causing irritation, burning sensation, coughing, and difficulty breathing. Even more concerning, formaldehyde exposure can be a potential exacerbation of underlying respiratory illnesses including asthma and allergies. Furthermore, prolonged exposure to or at high concentrations can lead to the propensity to develop respiratory cancers (e.g., nose and throat cancers).
Formaldehyde is a colorless compound and sometimes difficult for persons due to the strong odor associated, and this can lead people to possibly not knowing that they are being exposed to formaldehyde in indoor environments. It is imperative to both measure and control indoor formaldehyde concentrations for health and well-being especially, when levels are exceeded beyond critical thresholds.
Natural Ways to Reduce Indoor Formaldehyde
Nature-based solutions to reduce indoor formaldehyde concentrations come from the ability of some common species of houseplant to uptake and mitigate air pollutants including formaldehyde. Houseplant examples like snake plants, bamboo plants, or crotons uptake harmful constituents from the air and further metabolize the harmful material. An indoor environment with these houseplants would contribute to indoor space being biologically broken down with formaldehyde present in the air to manage and reduce indoor exposure.
In addition to the use of houseplants, controlling fluctuating humidity in indoor environments around the ideal relative range of 30-50% is an important strategy for controlling the amount of formaldehyde that is released from building structures and furniture. A deficiency of high or low humidity can help speed up formaldehyde evaporation rates, and keeping an acceptable level of humidity stabilized allows for a delayed process.
Regularly cleaning the dust and dirt in the house would help reduce dust particles that may eventually serve as a medium for the accumulation of other damaging characteristic chemicals that favor added to indoor concentrations of formaldehyde in the air.
Lastly, avoiding smoking indoors is highly recommended as cigarette smoke contains formaldehyde along with a variety of other e-pollutants that can lead to poor indoor air quality.
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Air Purifier & Filter Technology Relevant
Air purifier and filter technology provides viable solutions to reduce formaldehyde in the indoor air. One of the key components that is most effective is the activated carbon filter. Activated carbon filters can absorb formaldehyde molecules from the air and effectively prevent them from being circulated and inhaled by individuals occupying the home. HEPA filters also capture small particulate that have formaldehyde or other pollutants attached to it.
Some newer air purifiers have been developed with photocatalytic oxidation technology. This technology operates by breaking down formaldehyde into less harmful molecules including water and carbon dioxide. This technology not only filters harmful chemicals, but it chemically neutralizes them too. This is the best protection against indoor air pollution.
When selecting an air purifier, it is important to get an air purifier that has been designed specifically for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde. Reliable certification products have been through more rigorous testing to show the effectiveness in reducing harmful pollutants. An air purifier that has been designed for this purpose can substantially improve the air quality, which will assist in protecting the health and comfort of everyone in a home.
Ventilation Tips & Eco-Friendly Materials
Ventilation is very important for reducing indoor formaldehyde concentrations. Regularly opening windows will allow fresh outside air into the home to replace air containing formaldehyde.
A well-placed exhaust fan will help to expel stale air and increase air circulation in conjunction with open windows. It is also recommended to install a mechanical ventilation system to ensure proper levels of fresh air exchange when the windows are closed. A beneficial ventilation system will not only ensure optimal freshly circulated air quality, it will manage excessive humidity and reduce mold growth as well.
In addition to ventilation, using eco-friendly building materials is also an imperative part of eliminating sources of formaldehyde from the beginning. When structuring furniture or building materials to utilize, here is an opportunity to choose low-formaldehyde or formaldehyde-free products.
For instance, solid wood is a better option than particleboard or plywood, which may incorporate adhesives derived from formaldehyde. Our other strong recommendation is the use of low VOC paints and glues. They can further help reduce the extent of formaldehyde and indoor air chemical exposure.
By following these practical natural methods in combination with air filtration technology and eco-friendly materials and design you can achieve a safer, healthier home where exposure to the dangers of formaldehyde is eliminated.
How to Remove Formaldehyde from Indoor Air
How to remove formaldehyde from indoor air is just a step away with Legom. Our KJF-B01 Air Conditioner Companion uses internationally certified electrostatic purification technology to remove formaldehyde, PM2.5, allergens, bacteria, and viruses, without the need for consumable filters. When paired with HVAC or smart-home systems, it keeps your living spaces continuously clean and healthy.
Additionally, for your on-the-go air protection, the KJ20F-C01 Air Purifier for Automobile delivers high-efficiency purification with real-time air-quality detection and automatic airflow adjustment. Trusted in over 90 countries, Legom provides reliable, energy-efficient solutions to safeguard your family’s air quality both indoors and in your car.