Reduce Air Pollution at Home by Reducing Formaldehyde Exposure
You thought air inside your house is clean and free from air-pollution?
Think again.
Formaldehyde, a dangerous air pollutant – carcinogen and sensitizer, is found ten times more inside homes than outside.
Which materials are responsible for formaldehyde release at homes?
Air fresheners/fragrances/perfumes
Wallpaper
Cleaning products containing tarpenes
Adhesives, Carpets
Cigarrates/e-cigarattes
Wood/Coal and even Gas Stoves
Combustion Exhausts from automobiles
Paper napkins
Easy care, Anti-wrinkle/shrink clothes and curtains treated with formaldehyde
Polyester clothing and pillow foam
Skincare products using formaldehyde as preservative
Cosmetics like nail polish and hair smootheners
Manufactured wood furniture products & furniture preservatives/coatings (Especially when these are brand new)
How does continuous exposure to formaldehyde affect one’s health?
Exposure to formaldehyde increases the risk of developing any of the following ailments depending on the exposure and body resistance of individuals.
Headaches, vomiting
Irritation/burning eyes and nose
Allergic reaction, fatigue, nausea
Wheezing, asthma
Skin rashes, allergy
Even cancer
How to reduce exposure to formaldehyde at homes?
Don’t allow smoking inside homes
Ventilate garages well enough that vehicular exhausts are released directly to the atmosphere
Ventilate homes with sufficient open windows, fans and exhaust fans so that any formaldehyde and other pollutants leave quickly
Don’t use chemical-based perfumes or air fresheners. Opt for natural/organic sources like agarbathi, camphor, sambarani, etc.
Have exhaust fans directly over cooking stoves
Buy and use natural/organic cotton-based clothing materials and handcrafted textiles that use natural dyes
Reduce humidity and temperature by using an Air Conditioner
Use denser filters with ACs.
Use indoor/outdoor plants that are known to reduce air pollutants in and around homes. A list of few such plants and trees is available here and here
Use natural and organic products as far as possible for cleaning and personal care
Try to avoid finished wood products like MDF, hardwood plywood, particleboard, etc.
Give preference to formaldehyde-free building materials like stainless steel, plastic, gypsum, etc. instead of wood
Prefer other (safer) coating materials instead of formaldehyde coating for furniture and other materials
Buy antique wooden furniture which mostly does not emit formaldehyde or have at least exhausted their capacity and no longer release this dangerous chemical
Develop a healthy lifestyle – keep switching between indoors and outdoor frequently to avoid continuous exposure. Encourage kids to play more outdoors
Use Royale Atmos paint from Asian Paints
Asian Paints has come up with Royale Atmos paints which, the company claims, reacts with formaldehyde and breaks it into harmless molecules. They also say that this paint also absorbs other air irritants like nicotine, ammonia, etc.
All you need to do is paint your house/office with Royale Atmos wall paint to protect your home for up to two years from air pollutants, as mentioned on their website.
Asian Paints says that Royale Atmos also absorbs malodours/foul smell and releases a good fragrance. It gives a smooth matte finish that gives a nice look to your walls and is equipped with Teflon surface protector to protect your walls against stains – which makes cleaning the walls easier. It also comes with green assure seal.
More Information: Asian Paints Royale Atmos website.
Have a look at their TV Commercial featuring Deepika Padukone,
Destination Infinity
For more exhaustive information on formaldehyde pollutant and how you can protect your family against it, check here and here.
