Urea-formaldehyde resins bind MDF, particleboard and plywood; phenol-formaldehyde appears in some insulations and laminates. Paints, varnishes, cleaning products and some textiles add to the load. Emission rates peak in the first weeks after installation and decay over months to years.
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Where formaldehyde comes from
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Health effects
Acute: eye, nose and throat irritation, headache. Chronic: respiratory sensitisation, asthma exacerbation. IARC Group 1 carcinogen — long-term exposure is linked to nasopharyngeal cancer and leukaemia. Children and chemically sensitive adults react at lower concentrations.
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Mitigation
Specify low-emission materials (E1, CARB Phase 2, EPA TSCA Title VI compliant). Increase ventilation rates during and after fit-out — "flushing" at >3 ACH for 14 days can cut concentrations substantially. Monitor with TVOC and dedicated formaldehyde sensors where exposure is plausible. VOC testing →