It is also found in small amounts in some textiles as an anti-wrinkle agent. Wheezing and coughing, fatigue, skin rashes, headaches, loss of coordination and nausea are other symptoms. Larger doses can cause asthma attacks as well as damage to the liver, kidneys and the central nervous system. Some people are highly sensitive and react to formaldehyde concentrations that don't bother most people. Formaldehyde has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals, but there is limited evidence that it causes cancer in humans.
Particle board is the major contributor of formaldehyde to the home environment.
The culprit is the adhesive, urea formaldehyde, which can break down, releasing the formaldehyde. Some particleboard is now manufactured with reduced formaldehyde. Also, environmental testing firms, listed in the yellow pages of the phone directory, should be able to test for formaldehyde levels. Since such tests are costly, you should learn whether your home has possible sources of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde cannot penetrate plastic laminate and is at least partly blocked by coatings.