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(NaturalNews) Many consumers may not be aware that formaldehyde, a toxin and carcinogen commonly used in the embalming process, is also one of the most common ingredients in many materials that make up a normal home. As a result, many household items -- from furniture to bed sheets -- emit formaldehyde fumes that are harmful to the health of families and children.

Formaldehyde may be best known for its use as a tissue preservative, such as in the preservation of animals for dissection in schools. It is the chemical's very toxic nature that makes it such an effective preservative: it quickly kills bacteria or fungi that might otherwise begin the process of decomposition. But formaldehyde is also an ingredient in a wide variety of resins used to make permanent adhesives for plywood and carpeting, causing it to be present in furniture and building materials (particularly those made with pressed wood products) and certain molded plastics.

Formaldehyde resins are used to make textiles crease-resistant and can be found in everything from curtains to sheets and clothing. These resins are also used in dishwashing liquids, fabric softeners, carpet cleaners, glues, cardboard and paper products (including wallpaper) and certain latex paints. They are also used in products intended to be used on the body, such as cosmetics (including nail polish and nail hardener) and paper products (facial tissues, napkins and paper towels).

All of these products outgas small quantities of formaldehyde, as do certain insulating foams that are no longer in use in new home construction but that may be present in older homes. Burning of most materials also releases formaldehyde, so fireplaces, wood stoves and smoking can also be a source of indoor formaldehyde.

All buildings are contaminated with formaldehyde

Cancer and asthma

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Related Articles: • The Harmful Chemical, Formaldehyde, Needs Worldwide Regulation • The link between aspartame and brain tumors: What the FDA never told you about artificial sweeteners • Clean Your Air and Brighten Your Day with Houseplants	Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com Email this article to a friend Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/023202_formaldehyde_health_paper.html Reprinting this article: Non-commercial use OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link. Embed article link: (copy HTML code below): <a href = "http://www.NaturalNews.com/023202_formaldehyde_health_paper.html">Indoor Air in Homes Often Contaminated with Formaldehyde from Building Materials</a>