Where Does Formaldehyde Hide?

One of my students gave a presentation on formaldehyde last term, and I haven't been able to get it out of the back of my head since. We have all heard of formaldehyde-- it's the chemical we use to preserve frogs for dissection biology class and the chemical we use to embalm our loved ones after they die. But did you know it's also in, well,... just about everything?? Formaldehyde preserves against bacteria, so humans have found all sorts of uses for this substances including: cosmetics and personal hygiene products, vaccines, clothes, plastics, pill coatings that promote maximum absorption, building materials, flooring, furniture, car components, inks, and just about every other place you could think of.
So, what's the big deal? Formaldehyde can cause several short term effects including burning sensations, coughing, weezing, skin irritation, and nausea. For those who have long term exposure to this chemical (with the list above that seems like just about all of us!), the EPA has classified formaldehyde as a probably carcinogen.
So, what can you do? First off, stop sleeping on the stuff. Any fabrics that are permanent-press or wrinkle-free contain formaldehyde. This means that almost all bed sheets contain formaldehyde, giving you 7-9 hours of exposure each and every night. To avoid formaldehyde-ridden sheets, stick to cotton flannel or jersey-knit; these fabrics are not treated with formaldehyde-laden resin as they are meant to be soft and not 'crisp' (to read more about this check out Green Housekeeping by Ellen Sandbeck). Also look for personal care products and building products that are labeled formaldeyde-free. Lastly, when you are in the market for new furniture, try to look for solid wood pieces or used furniture. Used furniture (older than 10 years) will have off-gassed a good portion of the formaldehyde it contains, and will be less toxic to your health.