Formaldehyde in Your Home: Where It Hides

Formaldehyde is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Yet it’s still found in dozens of household products.

Where Formaldehyde Hides

It rarely appears as ‘formaldehyde’ on labels. Instead, look for these formaldehyde-releasing preservatives:

• DMDM Hydantoin
• Quaternium-15
• Imidazolidinyl urea
• Diazolidinyl urea
• Bronopol

Common Products

• Hair straightening treatments (keratin treatments)
• Nail polish and nail hardeners
• Cleaning products
• Air fresheners
• Pressed-wood furniture (off-gassing)

Health Risks

• Respiratory irritation and asthma
• Skin sensitisation
• Cancer (with prolonged exposure)

What You Can Do

1. Scan product labels with our SMS scanner
2. Ventilate your home regularly
3. Choose formaldehyde-free alternatives
4. Visit our Ingredients Database to learn more