Formaldehyde is found naturally in the environment and isn’t a threat in low doses. However, it can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, nose, and throat1 in high amounts, and the National Toxicology Program has declared that formaldehyde is “known to be a human carcinogen” and can increase the likelihood of certain cancers. With this in mind, you’ll want to limit your exposure to formaldehyde at home when possible. Here are some are common places formaldehyde is found and a few formaldehyde-free alternatives: Consider steering clear of them and opting for untreated organic options instead. Here’s a list of mbg’s favorite sheets that you can feel good spending eight hours a day curled up on. The EWG’s top choice is mattresses made from 100 percent natural latex foam, which is extracted from rubber trees and isn’t treated with as many chemicals as polyurethane during manufacturing. IKEA has some good low-formaldehyde options, and antiques stores also tend to be great sources of real wood furniture. Even if they’re made from particle board, older pieces will have already off-gassed some of their formaldehyde compounds. Plus, it’s better for the environment to keep these pieces in use rather than buying new ones. Avoid clothing with these designations and opt for natural, organic fabrics instead (think: cotton, hemp, wool, and linen over nylon and polyester). You can also buy used clothing, which is far less likely to off-gas chemicals and is better for the environment. Short of embracing your natural hair texture, there’s not much you can do about the straightening issue—nobody has developed a truly eco-friendly way to change hair texture yet. For nail polish, though, there are tons of bright, trendy colors in “five-, seven-, or nine-free” (referencing the number of chemicals excluded) formulations. Check out some of our favorite clean polishes here.
