Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde, a colourless gas, is found in numerous products such as paints, wallpaper, detergents, fabric softeners, adhesives, glues, varnishes, cosmetics and some crease-resistant fabrics. It is believed to be the cause of cancers of the mouth, the nasal passages and the sinuses.

In the home the sources of production of formaldehyde can be from anodyne actions (cooking, lighting a candle, incense or a fire in the fireplace).