Common Air Contaminants In Your Home

While many people will wear sunscreen to protect themselves from the sun, not many folks wear respirators around the house to protect themselves from the formaldehyde found in so many household products.

Sure, we are a safety company and we'd love to see a respirator on every face and in every home. But in this case, you might be better protected with information. For instance, did you know that nail polish, glues, adhesives, and pressed-wood products like plywood and particle board that make up lots of modern furniture are made with formaldehyde adhesives? That goes for the plywood that went into making the structure as well.

Not to sound alarmist, but experts call formaldehyde a "probable" carcinogen. And even though levels are very low in the typical house, there are some simple ways to reduce or eliminate the worst offenders, so why wouldn't you do it?

First be careful about the type of furniture you buy. Some companies like Ikea keep a close eye on the levels of formaldehyde that goes into their products, but others do not. If possible, skip the whole problem by buying solid wood furnishings.

Next check your health and beauty products. Even products you may have been using for years such as lotion, shampoo, and body wash may contain formaldehyde. If they do, get rid of them. There are good alternatives on the market these days.

Finally if you are experiencing headaches, nausea or dizziness consider buying a test kit or having a company that tests come and take readings at your house.

If you don't like those options, there is always the 3M 60926 Multi-Gas/P100 Cartridge that comes in a very stylish pink. Accessorize with the grey and white 3M 6000 Series Half Face Mask which provides excellent safety with a smart around-the-house-casual safety look.