I would also like to hear an elaborated answer for the comment about
the FORMALDEHYDE GAS. Renessa is my good friend and I don't want her
being freaked out about the statement concerning Formaldehyde Gas.
Although the mobile home she has purchased is older I do believe it
is as old as 29yrs.

I searched the net and this is what I found on it concerning homes.
Personally I don't think Renessa has to much to worry about from this
artical written by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

WHAT IS FORMALDEHYDE AND WHERE IS IT FOUND?

Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a strong, suffocating odor. It
often is mixed with alcohol to make a liquid called formalin. The
largest source of formaldehyde is the chemical manufacturing industry.
Formaldehyde is found in cigarette smoke and also can be formed in the
environment during the burning of fuels or household waste. Very small
amounts of formaldehyde are found naturally in the human body.

Formaldehyde can be used for many purposes and is a popular chemical
because of its low cost. It can be found in items such as plywood,
particle board, and other pressed wood products that are commonly used
to make furniture, cabinets, wall paneling, shelves, and counter tops.
Formaldehyde also can be used to kill germs or as a preservative, and
is found in some commercial products. It also is found in items such
as dyes, textiles, plastics, paper products, fertilizer, and cosmetics.

Formaldehyde was a component in urea formaldehyde foam insulation
(UFFI). This type of insulation was installed in many homes during the
1970s and early 1980s. Due to potential health concerns associated with
UFFI, the demand for this product became virtually nonexistent and it
has rarely been used since 1983. Although older homes may still contain
UFFI, any formaldehyde releases would have occurred in the first five
years following installation and would no longer be a cause for
concern.

HOW CAN I BE EXPOSED TO FORMALDEHYDE?

The most common way to be exposed to formaldehyde is by breathing air
containing formaldehyde. This usually occurs in indoor environments
where the gas has been released from formaldehyde-containing products.
Exposure to liquid formalin may be through the skin or by ingestion.

HOW CAN FORMALDEHYDE AFFECT MY HEALTH?

Breathing air containing low levels of formaldehyde can cause burning
and watering eyes. As levels increase, it can cause burning of the nose
and throat, coughing, and difficulty in breathing. Some people may be
more sensitive to formaldehyde and have effects at levels lower than
expected.

Strong mixtures of formaldehyde gas or liquid can cause irritation or a
rash if they contact the skin. When swallowed, formaldehyde can cause
severe pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Formaldehyde that enters the blood
stream can produce effects similar to drinking too much alcohol.

Animal studies have shown increased nasal cancers in rats and mice who
inhaled high levels of formaldehyde for a long time. Because of this,
the United States Environmental Protection Agency has classified
formaldehyde as a probable human carcinogen (cancer causing agent).
This means there is enough evidence that formaldehyde causes cancer in
animals, but not enough evidence that it causes cancer in humans. Human
studies are inconclusive because it is not known whether observed
increases in cancer are due to formaldehyde exposure or to other
factors, such as smoking.

HOW IS FORMALDEHYDE ASSOCIATED MANUFACTURED HOUSING?

Products that contain formaldehyde compounds can release formaldehyde
gas into the air. These types of releases are known as "off gassing"
and they occur most often in products such as plywood, particle board,
and other pressed wood products. The amount released is greatest when
the product is new, and decreases over time. Formaldehyde is released
more readily at warm temperatures and high humidity.

In manufactured homes that contain large amounts of pressed wood
products, there are concerns about the initial indoor level of
formaldehyde. In 1984, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) set standards for construction of manufactured
homes. These standards require that manufacturers only use pressed
wood products that release formaldehyde at levels below an accepted
guideline. The standards also require that a health notice concerning
formaldehyde emissions be included on all new manufactured homes.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE FORMALDEHYDE IN MY HOME?

Because of its strong odor, formaldehyde can be smelled at very low
levels. The typical person can smell formaldehyde at levels less than
those that might cause health effects. People who are hypersensitive or
who have respiratory problems may experience effects at levels lower
than what can be smelled. There are ways of testing the air to learn
how much formaldehyde is present. If you think that your home may have
high levels of formaldehyde, contact your local health department for
more information.

HOW CAN I REDUCE MY EXPOSURE TO FORMALDEHYDE?

A simple and effective way to reduce formaldehyde levels in the home is
to increase air flow in the affected area by opening windows and doors.
This lowers the level of formaldehyde by increasing the amount of
outdoor air. Usually, the levels decrease and odors are gone within a
few days.

Another way to reduce exposure is to apply a barrier between
formaldehyde containing surfaces and the indoor air. Products such as
latex-based paints or varnish can block formaldehyde "off gasses." The
use of vinyl coverings such as wallpaper and floor covering on particle
board panels also has been effective. If all other efforts fail to
reduce formaldehyde to manageable levels, removing formaldehyde
containing products from the home environment may be necessary.

Debi Sadowski
Fuzzy Loving Ferrets

[Posted in FML 7327]