Modern conveniences can sometimes have hidden dangers. Most people don’t realize that formaldehyde is in everything, from fertilizer to furniture. They also don’t know that it may have a connection to cancer and reproductive issues.

While a single exposure isn’t much to worry about, it can be difficult to tell how many things in your home contain formaldehyde. Learn five ways to prevent dangerous formaldehyde exposure.

Watch Where You Place Fertilizer

Formaldehyde is a common ingredient in many types of fertilizer because it helps nitrogen dissolve slowly into the soil. Making the nitrogen last longer means your plants benefit longer from the nutrients in the fertilizer. Unfortunately, fertilizer can produce offgas, including harmful formaldehyde fumes. You can mitigate this threat by never keeping fertilizer inside your home.

Check Your Building Materials

Thinking of re-staining your cabinets or applying a new finish to your countertops? Just be careful about the brands of stains and resins you use. Some of these products include formaldehyde. As we stated before, formaldehyde produces offgas, which can linger in the air inside your home.

Give Up Smoking

Formaldehyde exposure certainly isn’t the worst consequence of smoking, but it’s one of them. In addition to getting cancer or permanent respiratory problems, smoking cigarettes can expose you to formaldehyde. Quitting smoking is one of the best ways to prevent dangerous formaldehyde exposure. Talk to your doctor about the most effective ways to quit.

Never Fear the Iron

Permanent press fabric is a popular choice today, especially for clothes that people traditionally had to iron, like button-up shirts. Now, you can buy clothes that never wrinkle or lose their shape, thanks to resins used in clothing production. Some of these resins contain formaldehyde. We know we’re starting to sound like a broken record, but we cannot overstress the dangers of formaldehyde offgas. When you wear permanent press fabric, you bring formaldehyde offgas everywhere you go.

Use a Gas Detector

If you’re really worried about formaldehyde exposure, then you need to get a gas detector. Plenty of manufacturers make formaldehyde monitoring equipment, and you can find it here at TG Technical Services. We offer all kinds of safety equipment, including gas monitors and HAZMAT suits. Let us help you keep your home and workplace safe.