When it comes to furnishing your space, safety and style should go hand in hand. One growing concern for many is the presence of chemicals like formaldehyde in furniture materials, which can affect the quality of air.
While that sounds alarming, don't worry. We're here to explain what formaldehyde is, why it's used in furniture, and most importantly, how Castlery prioritizes your safety by keeping formaldehyde levels in check.
Understanding formaldehyde and its risks
We’ve all heard about chemicals like formaldehyde, but what is it really? And should you be worried? Let’s break it down.
What is formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring chemical found in many products, from household cleaners to building materials. Known as VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds), formaldehyde is a category of chemicals that can evaporate into the air and affect indoor air quality.
In small amounts, it’s generally harmless, but when formaldehyde levels rise, so do the health risks.
Health risks associated with formaldehyde
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Cancer risks: The National Cancer Institute has classified formaldehyde as a known human carcinogen. Long-term exposure has been linked to nasopharyngeal cancer and myeloid leukemia, making it crucial to minimize exposure, especially in your home.
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Skin and eye irritation: Formaldehyde can also irritate the skin, causing rashes and, in some cases, allergic reactions. Your eyes may feel burning, stinging, or watery when exposed to higher levels of this chemical.
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Respiratory irritation: If you’ve ever felt your throat burn after being around strong chemicals, you’ve probably experienced formaldehyde irritation. According to the American Lung Association, formaldehyde at higher levels can trigger symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and even asthma attacks.
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Increased sensitivity in certain groups: Children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory issues or asthma tend to be more sensitive to formaldehyde exposure. Even small amounts can have a noticeable impact on their health.
A chart showing the range of formaldehyde concentrations and their potential effects. At Castlery, our products are designed to meet stringent safety standards.
Formaldehyde in furniture: What you need to know
It may surprise you to learn that formaldehyde is used in the manufacturing of many common household items, including furniture. But how does it get there?
How does formaldehyde end up in furniture?
Formaldehyde is primarily used in adhesives, coatings, and finishes. It’s especially prevalent in engineered wood products, such as particleboard, plywood, and medium-density fiberboard (MDF).
These materials are widely used due to their durability and cost-effectiveness because it’s created by bonding layers of wood or wood fibers with resins or adhesives. However, many of these adhesives can release small amounts of formaldehyde over time, a process known as off-gassing.
Solid wood: The formaldehyde-safe option
Solid wood, on the other hand, does not contain adhesives that bond the layers together. When you choose solid wood furniture like the Seb Extendable Dining Table or the Vincent Coffee Table, they are crafted from a single piece of wood.
This means that they don’t contain additional formaldehyde, making solid wood a safer choice when you’re concerned about indoor air quality.
How Castlery keeps your space formaldehyde safe
Your well-being isn’t just an afterthought - it’s the very foundation of everything we do.
We believe that you should have a safe space, and that’s why we take extra steps to ensure that our furniture meets or exceeds industry standards.
We adhere to the TSCA Title VI standard, which is a stringent regulation ensuring that formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products are kept within safe limits.
What is the TSCA Title VI standard?
The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Title VI is a federal regulation from the USA that limits formaldehyde emissions in products made from composite wood, such as plywood, particleboard, and MDF.
This ensures that our furniture releases only very low levels of formaldehyde, well within the limits considered safe for indoor air quality. So, when you buy a piece of Castlery furniture, you can be confident that it complies with these rigorous standards.
Proposition 65 clarification
You may have seen Proposition 65 warnings on our website and wondered if this means they contain high levels of formaldehyde. Let us clarify: a Proposition 65 warning does not mean that our products are high in formaldehyde or other harmful chemicals.
What is Proposition 65?
Proposition 65 has extremely strict guidelines. Even products with trace amounts of certain chemicals - far below the levels that pose any significant health risks - are required to carry this warning label.
Prop 65, or officially known as The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, is a California law that requires businesses to provide warnings if their products contain any chemicals known to the state to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Formaldehyde is one of the chemicals listed under this law.
Why is the warning on our products?
At Castlery, we are committed to full transparency and responsibility. That’s why, even when the risk is minimal and our furniture is safe, we comply with California’s labeling law to inform you about the presence of these known chemicals.
Our products strictly adhere to the TSCA Title VI standards, which regulate formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products, ensuring our furniture’s formaldehyde emissions are well within safe limits.
How to reduce formaldehyde exposure in your space
While we take significant steps to ensure our furniture is safe, there are other actions you can take to further reduce formaldehyde exposure in your space:
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Choose formaldehyde-safe products: When buying new furniture, look for formaldehyde-safe options like solid wood furniture.
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Ventilate your space: Make sure your space is well-ventilated, especially after receiving new furniture. Open your windows and allow fresh air to circulate to help reduce formaldehyde levels.
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Air out new furniture: After unboxing new furniture, let it air out for a few days before using it fully. This can help reduce any off-gassing that may occur initially.
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Control humidity and temperature: High temperatures and humidity can increase formaldehyde emissions. Keeping your space cool and dry will help minimize the risk of formaldehyde exposure.
Creating a safe space to thrive
Formaldehyde may be a common part of modern furniture production, but with the right precautions, it doesn't have to be a major concern. By understanding its presence and potential risks, you can make better choices to reduce exposure.
At Castlery, we adhere to the strict TSCA Title VI standard - so you can shop easy and create a formaldehyde-safe space for you and your family.
