Let’s face it: chemicals are everywhere. We, dear readers, are composed of…you guessed it…chemicals. Lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and many others keep our systems up and running. Of course, not all chemicals are good for us, especially not in excessive doses. Too much sodium chloride (also known as table salt) can lead to dehydration, hypertension, and water retention. Too much sucrose (our good friend table sugar) can cause cavities, weight gain, and diabetes. Moderation is often key.

There’s no doubt formaldehyde is a dangerous chemical. Although it’s a naturally occurring substance, it’s natural the same way a King Cobra is natural. A product of our Earth, yes, but one we’d prefer to limit our exposure to. In 2007 the California Air Regulatory Board ( CARB) issued a rating system to address the public’s concerns over formaldehyde emissions. CARB compliance came in two phases based on their date of implementation, CARB 1 and CARB 2. Emissions are measured in Parts Per Million (PPM). Let’s look at some CARB standards applied to flooring materials:

• Hardwood Plywood (HWPW): 0.05 PPM
• Adhesives: 0.05 PPM
• Particleboard (PB): 0.09 PPM
• Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF): 0.11 PPM
• MDF Less Than Or Equal To 8 Millimeters Thick: 0.13 PPM

Conversely, cow's milk contains anywhere from 0.075 to 0.255 PPM, (in 2015 according to the World Health Organization).

At Floors To Your Home, we understand your concerns about formaldehyde exposure. We are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, family members seeking to protect our loved ones. That’s why we offer certification showing our laminates meet appropriate standards, and we purchase our laminate from the same manufacturers used by Lowe's and Home Depot. Please contact us with any questions or concerns. Your safety and your satisfaction are, as always, our top priority.

Want to do some research on your own? 

Toxic Substance Control Act from the U.S. Government Publishing Office

- - - - Meredith is a content writer at Floors To Your Home. Away from the office she's a published author, hockey fan, music lover, and mom to a vampire-fanged rescue cat.

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