Does resin treated polyester fiber batting contain formaldehyde?
By admin on Dec 23, 2009 in Green Living
Tiffany W asked:
Since I started buying nursery furniture for my baby’s room I have come to find out that formaldehyde is present in many things we buy and we have no idea. I just bought a crib set for my daughter’s room and read that the material was “resin treated polyester fiber batting”. I am concerned about what the resin is and if it contains formaldehyde or any other toxins. Does anyone know? Thanks!
Since I started buying nursery furniture for my baby’s room I have come to find out that formaldehyde is present in many things we buy and we have no idea. I just bought a crib set for my daughter’s room and read that the material was “resin treated polyester fiber batting”. I am concerned about what the resin is and if it contains formaldehyde or any other toxins. Does anyone know? Thanks!
On Dec 23, 2009, Rich said:
Formaldehyde based resins are common. Try contacting the maker for a MSDS (material safety data sheet) and/or to determine the type of resin used.
I would also suggest testing the air in the baby’s room. You can do this using ACS passive formaldehyde badges. They are $40 each including the lab analysis.
In a well sealed home, small amounts of formaldehyde from several sources could result in elevated levels. Testing is the only way to know.
On Dec 24, 2009, Peter Reefman said:
Unless it specifically says it DOESN’T, I’d say it would have formaldehyde in the resin. Most glues and resins do contain formaldehyde, and you’re doing a good job trying to keep them out of your house (especially away from your baby!)
But to ease your worry a little, our bodies CAN safely deal with a little formaldehyde safely. The trouble is that if everything we surround ourselves has it then the accumulated concentrations go over our tipping point, and it becomes a long term danger.
What I’d suggest is to keep trying to buy things without it, but then to also put some formaldehyde-loving plants in the room. Things like English Ivy will actually suck it up and remove it from the air, plus you get some nice greenery in the room as well.
Hope that helps, and all the best.
On Dec 25, 2009, haans42 said:
Probably not. It does depend upon the type of resin used and resin is a very broad term. However, formaldehyde is not a common “resin” ingredient. It is more often found in adhesives foam insulation.
Batting is a form of padding. Therefore soft. Formaldehyde is usually found in rigid materials.
However, unless the crib is made without pressed fiberboard. That is the crib is solid wood.There is probably formaldehyde present in the binders and glues used to make the wood products.
If your daughter’s room is properly ventilated any formaldehyde in any of the crib’s materials will not be at levels that will cause any harm.
Remember the problem with the FEMA trailers was they were stored sealed up, thus leading a build up of outgassing formaldehyde to unsafe levels