Formaldehyde (Formol) is classified as a Class 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization. In April 2023, Feng Lin, former director and researcher at the Maternal and Child Health Center of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, proposed raising the indoor formaldehyde concentration standard to 0.07 mg/m³ and strengthening regulations to control indoor pollution. This proposal has sparked widespread attention and discussion. So, what is a safe formaldehyde concentration? And how can we protect ourselves from the harmful effects of formaldehyde?
How serious is excessive formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde is a colorless, irritating gas with a distinct, pungent odor. It is commonly used in the manufacture of wood preservatives, cosmetics, disinfectants, and other products. However, the harm of formaldehyde goes far beyond this. Long-term exposure to high concentrations of formaldehyde can cause multiple health hazards, including:
- Irritation to the skin and mucous membranes
Formaldehyde can irritate the skin and mucous membranes, causing symptoms such as redness, swelling, and itching. In severe cases, it can also lead to dermatitis, pneumonia, and other diseases. - Impact on the Respiratory Tract
Formaldehyde is an irritant gas that, when inhaled, can cause respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Long-term exposure to formaldehyde may also lead to chronic respiratory diseases such as tracheitis and bronchitis. - Damage to the Nervous System
Long-term exposure to formaldehyde may also cause damage to the nervous system, such as headaches, dizziness, insomnia, and memory loss. In severe cases, convulsions and coma may occur. - Damage to the Immune System
Formaldehyde may also damage the immune system, reducing the body’s resistance and making it more susceptible to viral and bacterial attacks.
Furthermore, formaldehyde can harm the health of pregnant women and fetuses, causing birth defects and intellectual disability in newborns. Therefore, the harm of formaldehyde is even more severe for special groups such as pregnant women, children, and the elderly.
Why are there two standards for formaldehyde testing, and what is the difference?
What formaldehyde concentration is considered excessive? 0.07 or 0.1?
①GB/T18883-2002, known as the Indoor Air Quality Standard, was released in 2002 by several administrations, including the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. It sets a formaldehyde safety limit of 0.10 mg/m³ for indoor spaces.
②GB 50325-2020, or the Standard for Indoor Environmental Pollution Control of Civil Building Projects, was issued in 2020 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development and the State Administration for Market Regulation.
What is the difference between the two? Why are the formaldehyde standards different?
The two formaldehyde standards have different purposes.GB/T18883-2002 mainly deals with finding and fixing indoor air pollution issues. GB 50325-2020 is mostly for checking if new buildings are up to code, and it says what developers and renovation companies are responsible for.
Some people say that 0.07 is less than 0.1, so is the 0.07 standard stricter?
Actually, it’s not.
- 0.07 is the standard limit for indoor formaldehyde after a room has been sealed for one hour
- 0.10 is the standard limit for a room sealed for 12 hours.
Keep in mind that indoor formaldehyde levels build up over time. The longer a space is sealed, the higher the formaldehyde concentration will be. So, after a 12-hour sealing period, formaldehyde is higher than after just one hour, making that 0.10 standard pretty strict. When testing for formaldehyde, we should refer to the 0.10 standard. You’re safe to move in if the formaldehyde level is under 0.10 after sealing the place for 12 hours. For homes, make sure to stick to the Indoor Air Quality Standard GB/T18883-2002, which says formaldehyde should be less than 0.08 mg/m³ after keeping doors and windows shut for 12 hours. This range is considered safe and safe to move in. New homes and offices must meet the GB50325-2020 standard for indoor air pollution. For homes and kindergartens, formaldehyde should be less than 0.07 mg/m³ after closing doors for one hour. For other buildings, the limit is 0.08 mg/m³.
In addition, we also need to understand the environmental conditions under which formaldehyde concentrations are most likely to cause illness.
① It’s not a good idea to move in if formaldehyde levels are between 0.2 mg/m³and 0.3 mg/m³, since it could be bad for your health.
② Formaldehyde levels above 0.2 mg/m³ are extremely dangerous, especially with serious health risks, leading to various adverse health reactions.
That’s why decorators say formaldehyde is a major threat to newly renovated homes in my country. Before moving into a new home, we should conduct formaldehyde testing and control to ensure the safety of ourselves and our families! Ensure that the formaldehyde concentration is within a safe range.
How can you remove formaldehyde as quickly as possible? Besides ventilation, what else can be done?
♥ High-temperature steaming + ventilation
Formaldehyde generally cannot tolerate high-temperature and high-humidity environments. You can use the air conditioner on heating mode, then turn on a humidifier to 70% and close the doors and windows for 6 hours to allow the formaldehyde to fully release in this environment. Immediately afterward, open all doors and windows to quickly release the free formaldehyde. For rooms with poor ventilation, place an electric fan to accelerate air circulation. Ventilate for 5-6 hours a day.
♥ Use an air purifier
Formaldehyde typically releases formaldehyde every 3 to 10 years. To prevent formaldehyde from rebounding after closing windows, place a home formaldehyde-removing air purifier in your home to absorb and decompose the formaldehyde over time, removing it through the purifier’s multiple filter layers.
