10 Surprising Ways You Are Accidentally Poisoning Your Home

#4 – Toxic Furniture Fumes

Furniture can also produce toxic fumes way above the World Health Organization’s limits. The main responsible is formaldehyde, a chemical present in wood furniture, more specifically in the adhesives in particleboard, plywood and MDF (medium-density fiberboard), as well as in the finish of permanent-press fabrics.

Besides the immediate symptoms such as eye irritation, skin and respiratory allergies, asthma, nausea, coughing, chest tightness, and wheezing, Formaldehyde is also considered a cancer-causing product, as it is associated with nasal and brain cancers.

If your furniture has a strong smell, be careful. And take it out of your kid’s room, as it drastically increases the risk for asthma amongst children.