The Brockovich Report

We have seen formaldyhyde in the news a lot lately.
Remember our old friend, "sick building syndrome?"
Translate this into a euphemism for indoor air pollution.

Ironically, the Washington, D.C. headquarters of the
Environmental Protection Agency was one such facility
affected and abandoned because for just such a reason.




Sealed office or home areas result in unhealthy build-ups
of chemical vapors including formaldehyde, bacteria, and
foul odor. Burning eyes, nausea, lethargy, grogginess,
headaches, coughing, and chest tightness or congestion are
just some of the symptoms reported.




One component of this sick building syndrom results from
formaldehyde in the furnishings. Carpet, pads, draperies,
particle board, laminated furnishings, paneling, and
insulation are potentially guilty of emitting carcinogenic
formaldehyde, and need to be replaced. Also, make certain
cleaning compounds do not contain formaldehyde. OSHA does
not regulate sick buildings, but it does investigate
complaints and invoke the General Duty Clause:

"Each employer shall furnish to each of his (sic)
employees employment and a place of employment which are
free from recog nized hazards that are causing or are
likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his
employees."

So while house members–including House Majority Whip James
E. Clyburn, State Rep. Juan LaFonta, New Orleans and House
Speaker Nancy Pelosi –are still touring the South to view
Katrina damages, keep in mind that
formaldehyde is not exclusive to FEMA trailers; indeed
it can be found in your own home, especially if it is
new, and tight (as opposed to old and drafty.)




Do you have a formaldehyde horror story? If you do, let me
know here on my formaldehyde contact page.