Formaldehyde Sick Building Syndrome

Formaldehyde is a major contributor to many cases of sick building syndrome. It is a very toxic chemical that is corrosive to the skin, eyes, and the respiratory system. Acute or chronic exposure can result in difficulty breathing and even brief exposures can induce asthmatic reactions in sensitized individuals. 13 Exposures to mixtures of formaldehyde and lipophilic chemicals can result in unanticipated toxic effects. 14 Formaldehyde is an animal carcinogen, a suspected human nasal cancer carcinogen 29 and suspected human leukemogen. 3°1... 

The debate over the association of formaldehyde with health complaints overlapped the controversies over multiple chemical sensitivities and sick building syndrome. 

Tea may have yet another health benefit. Japanese researchers examined the use of teabags to cure sick-building syndrome. They scattered them around buildings to absorb gases that were making people sick. The concentration of formaldehyde, which can outgas from particleboard, was decreased by over 60 percent. It seems that tea may be healthy in more ways than one. 

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