Formaldehyde in OSB; I used it all over my house, should I be concerned? Health issues? Cancer?
Answer:
Deke is right. Also keep in mind that getting it wet can cause more to leach out
Yes! Formaldehyde is an embalming agent. The only time it should be used is not when you are alive! Most industries use it as a preservative because their products sit a long time from manufacturer to distributor. There are some studies and research that point it to causing cancer. I have switched my house over to non-toxins and feel better knowing that me and my children aren't being preserved! Email me for more info if you want! I have included some websites I have referenced.
First, if you're worried about it find out if it's actually a problem.
You can get a testor kit to find out if it is accumulating in your breathing air or call an environmental consultant to test it for you. Even if there is some off gassing, it may not be a problem if you have enough ventilation.
If you do it yourself, test in the morning before everone starts coming and going. This should give you a maximum exposure level.
Your body is able to metabolize some formaldehyde and it does occur naturally in a lot of common foods (dried Shiitake mushroom being the most glaring example). Since the human body does metabolize it, it is not something that bioaccumulates. As long as your exposure is not acute, it shouldn't cause a lot of long term effects.
The amount of formaldehyde that is off gassed by the OSB will deminish over time. The folks who have to worry about the chronic (long term) exposure are people who work with it, as the levels they are exposed to remain high over long periods of time.
We are into the good weather, so keep your house well ventilated and run fans and keep the window open instead of running the air conditioner.
Yes, it causes cancer. What the heck are you using it for?
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