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Executive Summary
Furnishings
containing formaldehyde – a toxic chemical linked with allergies, asthma, and
cancer – can contaminate indoor air within California homes. Babies and young children
are particularly vulnerable to harm.
To evaluate the potential dangers children face, EnvironmentCalifornia Research &
Policy Center
purchased 21 products intended for use in a baby’s nursery and hired a
professional laboratory to test them. We found that six of the products
produced high levels of formaldehyde vapor. In particular, several brands of
cribs and changing tables emit formaldehyde at levels linked with increased
risk of developing allergies or asthma.
To protect children from formaldehyde and other chemical
hazards, California
should adopt a new approach to chemical regulation, encouraging manufacturers
to design products that are safe from the start.
Many baby nursery furnishings emit formaldehyde.
- Of the products tested, the Child Craft Oak Crib
emitted the largest amount of formaldehyde. The crib includes a drawer made
from composite wood, which is often manufactured using formaldehyde-based glue.
- Other products with high formaldehyde emissions
included the Bridget 4-in-1 Crib by Delta, the Kayla II Changing Table by
Storkcraft, the Berkley Changing Table by Jardine Enterprises, the Country
Style Changing Table by South Shore Furniture, and the Rochester Cognac Crib by
Storkcraft.
- The remaining 15 products tested – including the
Olympia Single Crib by Jardine Enterprises; several wastebaskets, lamps, and
shelves made with composite wood; and several window valances and wall hangings
– emitted relatively low amounts of formaldehyde.
A baby sleeping in a nursery furnished with a high-emission
crib and changing table may face an increased risk of developing allergies
and/or asthma. - A new single-family home furnished with only a
Child Craft Oak Crib and a Storkcraft Kayla II Changing Table would have indoor
formaldehyde levels of about 30 ppb on average throughout the whole house. A
less spacious unit in a new apartment building would have indoor formaldehyde
levels as high as 52 ppb. (See Table ES-1.) These estimates exclude any
additional formaldehyde emissions from building materials or other pieces of
furniture within the home.
- Studies have shown that chronic exposure to
formaldehyde at levels greater than 16 ppb in indoor air is linked with an
increased likelihood of respiratory symptoms (such as coughing) and/or allergic
sensitization in children. Indoor formaldehyde levels greater than 50 ppb have
been associated with an increased risk of diagnosed asthma.
- Formaldehyde appears to have a large impact on
children’s respiratory health. For example, in one study, 16 percent of
children in homes with formaldehyde levels less than 16 ppb had diagnosed
asthma, while 44 percent had asthma in homes with indoor formaldehyde
concentrations greater than 40 ppb.
- Moreover, contamination levels could be higher
close to the source of emissions. For example, in a lightly ventilated nursery
furnished with a Child Craft Oak Crib, formaldehyde levels could be as high as
75 ppb. Formaldehyde exposure could be even higher for an infant actually
sleeping in the crib, very close to the source of emissions.
Formaldehyde exposure can cause cancer in the long term.
- The State of California and the International Agency for
Research on Cancer classify formaldehyde as a known human
carcinogen.
- Under Proposition 65, California has determined that exposure to
formaldehyde at 40 micrograms per day (equivalent to an indoor concentration of
about 2 ppb) results in a 1 in 100,000 lifetime risk of cancer. Individually,
the Child Craft Oak Crib, the Bridget 4-in-1 Crib, the Kayla II Changing Table,
the Berkley Changing Table, the Country Style Changing Table, and the Rochester
Cognac Crib each contain enough formaldehyde to contaminate an entire home with
levels of formaldehyde greater than this threshold.
Formaldehyde is just one example of how the chemical
regulatory system fails to protect children from health hazards - Inadequate resources and legal authority often
prevent regulatory agencies from taking protective action – even where
significant evidence of harm to public health already exists. For example,
federal regulators first became aware of links between formaldehyde vapor and
respiratory health problems more than 30 years ago. However, stiff resistance
from the chemical industry in the early 1980s largely thwarted new rules on
formaldehyde emissions. Moreover, California
declared formaldehyde to be a toxic air contaminant in 1992 – yet 16 years
passed before the state successfully issued a regulation to limit emissions
from composite wood.
- In addition to formaldehyde, about 1,400
chemicals on the market today have known or suspected links to cancer, birth
defects, and other health problems. And tens of thousands more have not been
adequately tested for health impacts.
To better protect children, California should reform its system of
chemical regulation through the Green Chemistry Initiative. This program
should: - Require chemical manufacturers to prove that
each chemical they market is safe.
- Empower regulatory agencies to restrict or ban
the manufacture and use of chemicals that pose potential dangers, erring on the
side of protecting human health and the environment.
- Ensure public access to information on chemicals
and their uses through mandatory reporting requirements.
How We Estimated
Indoor Air Pollution Levels.
Environment
California Research
& Policy Center
hired Berkeley Analytical Associates, LLC to test the formaldehyde emissions of
selected baby nursery furnishings. Laboratory staff placed each product in an
environmental chamber and measured the amount of formaldehyde vapor that that
was released to air. We then extrapolated the results to estimate how much each
product would contribute to the formaldehyde air concentrations within a
typical home. (For technical details, see the Methodology section on page 26.)
For Parents Seeking
to Minimize Children’s Exposure to Formaldehyde - Ask about the formaldehyde emissions of
furniture and building products before you purchase and install them in your
home.
- If such information is unavailable, avoid
products with components made of raw medium density fiberboard or other types
of composite wood.
- Ensure adequate ventilation within your home.
Maintain moderate temperatures and humidity levels.
- Place pollution-absorbing plants, such as spider
plants, Boston
ferns, dwarf date palms, pot mums, or peace lilies, in your home.
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