Re: Question for Chemist Mike Golden

[Guest guest]

Hello Marjij,

You are right that formaldehyde is ubiquitous in the environment.

It's in everything from laminated wood, plastics, fibers of rugs and

drapes, paints, cosmetics, and furniture to the packaging you bring

these items home in. In general, cheaper versions of products often

have more formaldehyde than do more expensive versions. Furniture is

a good example. Furniture from a discount store generally has a lot

more formaldehyde than the items found in a high quality furniture

store.

Now, what can you do about it? One thing that works very well is to

purchase an ozone generator and run it at a high rate when no one is

around. This will knock out formaldehyde in the air and on surfaces

very quickly. It basically converts it to carbon dioxide and water

vapor. (You can remove that " new car smell " overnight by running one

of these in your car.)

As far as washables are concerned, I would guess that using one of

the " oxy " type products along with a little vinegar, would take care

of those in a washing or two. Another possibility is to use ammonia

(just don't mix it with bleach! They use that combo in gas chambers.)

Hanging them to dry on a clothesline outside would be very helpful

following the washing. Some chemically sensitive people have a porch

where they hang new items for a couple of weeks before wearing them.

Mike

Thursday, June 18, 2009, 3:18:36 PM, you wrote:

M> Off Topic subject: I suffer from sensitivity to chemicals.

M> Especially the formaldehyde that seems to be infused in everything

M> that was made in China. I have bought wooden cabinets from Pier

M> One that I couldn't stand to be near. Draperies, bedspreads,

M> clothing, anykind of fabric that was made in China... and they all are!

M> Recently I went to a Goodwill Store and bought a bathrobe that was

M> used and presumably laundered a few times. Got it home, started

M> with the headache, burning tongue, sore throat in back of my mouth,

M> just as if I were surrounded with toxic fumes. I am sorry to say

M> that most people are being accosted by these chemicals all the

M> time, but they are not sensitive to them and don't know it. Except

M> children, who have reportedly been burned by the formaldehyde in baby

clothes.

M> My qustion, Mike, is this: Is there anything I could put in the

M> washinging machine with these chemicals to defuse them... or

M> counteract their effectiveness, or make them just dissolve and

M> disappear? I went to Home Depot to buy some kitchen counter tops

M> and they were so offensive I had to leave the store. The salesman

M> told me that formaldehyde is a " wonderful " adhesive, so it is used

M> in all the fabricated wood products made today. I understand that

M> it is also used in fabrics to soften the rather harsh fibers of

M> whatever material they make clothing out of. But I've found it

M> even in their pure silk products.

M> So, Mike, is there anything that can be used to destroy this stuff

M> in fabrics, by washing them? I read somewhere that sensitivity to

M> chemicals is a smptom of yeast problems in the person... but I

M> almost would rather stay sensitive so I can detect when I am near

M> these toxic items. And, or, is there a nostrum that can be used to

M> detox the body after exposure to these noxious fumes?

M> If you have a good answer I think I might submit it to our local

M> newspaper in San Diego... everybody should know about this health

M> threat. Got your thinking cap on?

M> Marji

--

Best regards,

Mike mailto:goldenmike@...