Formaldehyde Removal for Northern Virginia Laminate Floor Owners
Methods of formaldehyde removal for Northern Virginia homes, offices, and public spaces vary widely in application and effectiveness. Although a known carcinogen, little definitive scientific research supports clear recommendation for formaldehyde removal. Northern Virginia property owners need to determine their potential risk and hire a licensed, reputable environmental service contractor to do the dangerous work.
Analysis of scientific field studies offer mixed results. The methods used to measure formaldehyde (passive monitoring) and other VOCs (passive sampling) tend to be inaccurate. Also, while ventilation fuels the natural VOC and formaldehyde removal process, Northern Virginia building ventilation was not included in any study. Without controlling for ventilation rate variability there can be no significant quantitative results of pollutant removal effectiveness.
However, recent media investigation of formaldehyde as a public health issue is fueling formaldehyde removal for Northern Virginia property owners. Here's a rundown of recently publicized formaldehyde facts:
- A CBS 60 Minutes report aired in March, 2015, alleges harmful levels of formaldehyde are found in Lumber Liquidators' China-sourced laminate flooring products. Measured levels exceeded standards set by the California Air Resources Board, or CARB, in tests they designed to assess formaldehyde levels in the raw materials use in the manufacture of flooring products.
- Lumber Liquidators President Rob Lynch responded that while the formaldehyde removal controversy "is overblown, it will pay for safety testing for those California customers who want it." California officials insist proper ventilation is "probably enough to mitigate the risks" from indoor formaldehyde off-gassing. They don't recommend removing your laminate floor products unless someone experiences "noticeable health effects such as eye irritation," allergy-like symptoms, nausea or respiratory difficulties.
- While Nasa studies show specific plants "eliminate significant amounts of benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde," there is no body of convincing scientific evidence that confirms indoor plants contribute to lower indoor VOC and formaldehyde removal concentrations.
- Iranian researchers completed computational modeling studies for a high-tech prototype sensor to detect formaldehyde gas. According to Nanotechnology Now in an article posted online April 27th, 2015, this sensor contributes to a high formaldehyde gas removal rate for dramatically improved indoor air quality. Using "functionalized carbon nanotubes" increases the reaction rate to about "12 times that of a pure nanotube".
Until the sensor is made commercially available, only professional formaldehyde gas removal provides Northern Virginia homes and businesses with pollutant-free indoor air. If you have concerns about formaldehyde gas affecting your health, workplace, or your home, you may need professional formaldehyde removal. Northern Virginia homeowners and businesses can rely on the highly-trained, licensed environmental services team at Envirotex for help.
Envirotex has provided safe, cost-effective demolition, drug lab, and environmental clean up for 15 years. A licensed environmental company certified to perform formaldehyde removal in Northern Virginia, Envirotex also performs inspection, testing, remediation and removal of mold, asbestos, lead, indoor air quality and environmentally harmful circumstances. When you need formaldehyde removal in Northern Virginia, call the experts at Envirotex.
