IAQ Test Kit Identifies Formaldehyde Hazards

Earlier this year, the company behind a popular hair straightening product came to a settlement agreement with the Attorney General of California.  The Brazilian Blowout hair product had made headlines across the nation due to concerns over potential exposure to formaldehyde for both hairstylists and the general public.  The agreement now requires the product manufacturer to warn hairstylists that two of their products can expose them to formaldehyde vapors.   
 
As far back as 1987, the Environmental Protection Agency classified formaldehyde as a probable human carcinogen.  The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies formaldehyde as a human carcinogen and the California Air Resources Board (ARB) has classified formaldehyde as a Toxic Air Contaminant. 
 
Formaldehyde is a chemical commonly used to manufacture building materials and number of common household products.  Its primary use is in the production of resins and as a chemical intermediate. Formaldehyde is also a by-product of combustion and certain other natural processes. 
 
“In many homes, one of the most significant sources of formaldehyde can be from pressed wood products made using adhesives that contain urea-formaldehyde resins,” reported Bruce Jacobs, CIH, President of IAQ Index, an indoor air quality (IAQ) test kit manufacturer.  “High concentrations of formaldehyde may trigger asthma attacks in some people. Other health effects may include eye, nose and throat irritation.  To help people test their homes, schools and work environments for formaldehyde, IAQ Index has developed easy to use test kits that are based on scientific research.  The kits can quickly help determine if levels are unsafe for human exposure.” 
 
To learn more, please visit IAQ Index at http://www.IAQIndex.com, email info@IAQIndex.com or call (888) 259-3883.
 
About IAQ Index
IAQ Index was developed by a Certified Industrial Hygienist with decades of experience dealing with indoor air quality issues.  IAQ Index was developed as a health-based, easy-to-understand, air quality index that is calculated from data generated for various parameters commonly measured during IAQ surveys.  The approach is similar to the EPA’s Air Quality Index that has been used historically to communicate the risks posed by common pollutants in the ambient air.

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Paul Cochrane

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Cochrane *& Associates, LLC

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