Particleboard and other composit wood products are almost always made with formaldehyde and the chemical never outgasses fully because formaldehyde is structurally part of the final “wood” product.

Common reactions to short-term exposure to formaldehyde are eye, nose and throat irritation, coughing, headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Chronic exposure to formaldehyde can cause cancer, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Most contemporary furniture that is affordable is made of particleboard, and trailers and other small enclosed spaces are notorious for having sickening amounts of formaldehyde. FEMA trailers sent to house displaced families in the aftermath of Katrina were found to emit up to 400 times the legal limits of formaldehyde.

Following the state of California’s lead, a bill is being proposed in Congress to set federal limits in the amount of formaldehyde allowed in products used in the home. Currently, there is >no federal standard for formaldehyde emissions in most homes. California standards restrict formaldehyde-emissions to about 0.09 parts per million. The proposed federal bill will go into effect by January 2012

All well and hopeful, but what to do in the meantime?

For over a quarter of a century, AFM has been the leading innovator in paint and building products with reduced toxicity to preserve indoor air quality. Their Safecoat® products have earned the industry’s highest environmental and indoor air quality certifications, including Scientific Certification Systems’ Indoor Advantage Gold certification, and they satisfy LEED standards.

Using AFM sealants you can seal out formaldehyde fumes.

Safe Seal
Safecoat Safe Seal is a multi-use, waterbased, low gloss sealer for highly porous surfaces such as particle board, plywood, processed wood and porous concrete. Used primarily to reduce toxic outgassing: in particular, it is highly effective at sealing in formaldehyde outgassing from processed wood such as plywood, particle board and pressed wood. Safecoat Safe Seal is virtually odorless on application and odorless once cured.
SCS CERTIFIED – LEED QUALIFIED

Download Safe Seal Spec Sheet PDF

Hard Seal
Safecoat Hard Seal is a multi-use, clear gloss sealer especially formulated to provide mar resistance to both low and high porosity surfaces. Because it forms a continuous membrane when applied properly it is particularly effective at sealing in any pollution or toxic chemical compounds outgassing from the surface to which it is applied.

Download Hard Seal Spec Sheet PDF

MexeSeal
Safecoat MexeSeal is a low odor, waterbased, medium gloss clear sealer. It is suitable for use on porous interior tile or masonry surfaces where oil and water repellency are desired. It is ideal for long term protection against food, oil and water stains on residential or commercial floors. Safecoat MexeSeal is non-hazardous and non-flammable – a total replacement for high solvent content systems. SCS CERTIFIED – LEED QUALIFIED

Download MexeSeal Spec Sheet PDF

–by Annie B. Bond, author of five books on green living, including True Food (National Geographic, 2010), and Better Basics for the Home (Three Rivers Press, 1999).