What is Formaldehyde, Why It’s a Problem and How to Solve It

So you can enjoy your new home worry-free.

Ah, the “new house smell”. Much like the “new car smell’, you might find it pleasant or overpowering – but whichever side you fall on, did you know that it could possibly affect your and your family’s health?

This smell is attributed to formaldehyde – a chemical that could be lurking in your spotless new cabinets made with pressed-wood products (plywood and particle boards, for instance), fresh paint or even your brand-new furniture.

If you don’t think it’s a big deal… this local family kept falling sick due to high formaldehyde levels.

Following such news and rising concerns among homeowners seeking help with high formaldehyde levels post-renovation, the NEA is actively studying the issue too – especially since it can cause health issues down the line.

But don’t worry too much: by planning ahead, you can reduce formaldehyde exposure in your home for better indoor air quality.

Here’s everything you need to know about taking precautions to lower formaldehyde levels while planning for your renovation, and afterwards too.

*Photos that follow are for illustration purposes only and in no way indicate formaldehyde levels in each project.

First: what exactly is formaldehyde?

Various household products are manufactured using urea-formaldehyde (UF), a common ingredient in things like adhesives, press-wood products, paints and wallpaper. Such products release formaldehyde – a colourless, strong-smelling gas.

While formaldehyde occurs naturally, studies have shown that at high concentrations, it can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, skin and throat. Prolonged formaldehyde exposure has even been linked to more serious health issues like respiratory problems and even cancer.

That’s why it’s important to keep formaldehyde levels to a minimum in your home, especially if you have children, elderly family members, or anyone with pre-existing health conditions like asthma.

How to minimise formaldehyde emissions during your renovation

A bit of planning goes a long way in reducing formaldehyde even before your renovation starts. Here’s how:

Choose low-formaldehyde or formaldehyde-free materials

The simplest way to deal with formaldehyde is to avoid it from the start. These days, manufacturers have a lot more low-formaldehyde or formaldehyde-free options for furniture and building materials. Look out for:

• No VOC/Low VOC (volatile organic compound) products, including paints: these emit fewer harmful chemicals, including formaldehyde
• Pressed-wood product options that meet low emitting formaldehyde or no added formaldehyde requirements

Be sure to ask your ID about the aforementioned products/materials for custom carpentry and furniture; these are usually certified with the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme/Singapore Green Building Product Certification Scheme.

While it might not be an option for everyone, consider choosing solid wood over pressed wood: it’s typically more expensive, but it’s also a safer/healthier choice in the long run.

Plus, it’s durable and the solid wood lovers can all agree that it feels great to touch and looks lovely in any home.

Pro-tip: While it’s tempting to buy cheaper furnishings from the likes of Taobao, do keep in mind that many of these products are unregulated, and there’s no way to check on their formaldehyde levels.

Ventilate during and after renovation

Even if you’re careful with your material/furniture choices, some amount of off-gassing is inevitable. Off-gassing refers to the release of chemicals (like formaldehyde) into the air from products and materials.

During your renovation, make sure your home is properly ventilated throughout, especially since Singapore’s humid weather can exacerbate the release.

Open the windows and doors to let the fresh air in, and install and use exhaust fans where possible.

Dealing with formaldehyde after your renovation

Immediately after the renovation

Even with the best planning, it’s likely that formaldehyde is lingering in your home – but this is usually no cause for concern. Once you move in, maintain your ventilation efforts to keep fresh air circulating.

Furniture can also be one of the biggest culprits when it comes to formaldehyde off-gassing, especially if it’s made from pressed wood. Carpets, rugs, and things made with pressed fabrics like upholstery and drapery could be suspect too.

One way to remove the formaldehyde smell if you’ve just purchased standalone shelves, new tables or other furniture as part of your renovation, is to let them air out in a well-ventilated space.

In the long term: continue ventilating and try other formaldehyde removal products/services

Should that odour still linger for weeks or months after your renovation, or you/family members experience symptoms like breathing problems and irritation only while you’re at home, it might be an indication that formaldehyde levels are high.

In such cases, it’s best to hire a qualified professional to test formaldehyde levels in your home. Following this, you could engage professional formaldehyde removal services if you need them.

Besides that, it is often recommended to use air purifiers that have HEPA filters combined with activated carbon filters to trap fine particles and absorb gases like formaldehyde.

Still, take this with a pinch of salt: there is limited data on how effective air purifiers are in removing VOCs like formaldehyde in different real-world settings.

Breathe easy when you start your home journey right

Whether you’re just starting planning your renovation or you’ve recently wrapped up the project, taking steps to minimise formaldehyde exposure couldn’t be more important.

Discuss your concerns with your designer at the planning stage, and find out what safer alternatives are available.

By choosing low-formaldehyde materials and ventilating properly, you can enjoy your new space without worrying about harmful chemicals lingering in the air!

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