Unlike some of our competitors, the Wide Plank Floor Supply team prides itself on using only naturally sourced and formaldehyde-free wood. Our wide plank wood is not only beautiful, it’s also eco-friendly and healthy. This is because all of our wood is sourced from forests within the United States.
Laminate wood flooring made in China contains an alarming amount of formaldehyde.
Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas at room temperature and has a foul odor.
Although formaldehyde is a naturally occurring organic compound, it can cause harmful health effects when people are exposed to it. This is due to formaldehyde being a known respiratory irritant and dangerous carcinogen.
Carcinogens can cause cell mutation in DNA while others can be indirectly harmful. The American Cancer Society states, “Some carcinogens do not affect DNA directly, but lead to cancer in other ways. For example, they may cause cells to divide at a faster than normal rate, which could increase the chances that DNA changes will occur.”
Formaldehyde is very commonly used to make cabinets, walls, furniture, and flooring. It’s even found in some types of interior and exterior paint and coatings. Formaldehyde in resin form is utilized in the construction field due to its excellent preservation quality. It helps materials last longer and look new for a much longer amount of time.
This is appealing for homeowners since renovation and remodeling can be costly endeavors. However, exposure to formaldehyde can have some serious side effects.
The Center for Disease Control states, “Formaldehyde can make you feel sick if you breathe a lot of it. People can have symptoms such as sore throat, cough, scratchy eyes, and nosebleeds.”
People most at risk of experiencing symptoms due to formaldehyde exposure are infants, children, the elderly, and anyone with breathing conditions such as asthma or bronchitis. Formaldehyde has been proven to trigger asthma attacks. Other symptoms range from headaches to fatigue to allergic reactions or rashes. Although more research is needed, long-term exposure to even low levels of the chemical may cause cancer.
Even some our domestic and local competitors in the hardwood flooring industry use formaldehyde knowing it’s a carcinogen. Typically, higher formaldehyde levels are found in new homes or homes that have been recently renovated. Interior aspects like drywall, cabinetry, and wood flooring are often made with formaldehyde. Over time, formaldehyde levels can drop, but it can take decades before that may happen.
Make the smart choice of choosing formaldehyde-free wood flooring in your home to protect your family and pets from exposure to this toxic chemical.