Here's a great article from our friends over at EDF (Environmental Defense Fund) about chemical dangers, the burden of proof, and the US government's proposed actions on chemical oversight vs. Europe and other countries.  If we care about our families, ourselves and the planet, we'll clamor to make these important changes as quickly as possible.

Article here

What is formaldehyde?  Formaldehyde is a colorless gas. At elevated concentrations it has a strong, pungent odor and can be irritating to the eyes, nose, and lungs. Formaldehyde is released into the home from a variety of indoor sources. Some resins, or glues, used to bind wood chips or fibers into plywood, particleboard, and other pressed wood products, contain formaldehyde. Cabinetry and some floor and wall materials are often made from such products. Formaldehyde is also used in fabrics to impart wrinkle resistance or to fix color, and in some consumer products it is used as a hardening agent or preservative. Also, formaldehyde is a by-product of combustion processes, such as wood burning, gas appliance use, and cigarette smoking. Formaldehyde is usually present at lower (but not necessarily healthful) levels in outdoor air; it is emitted in car exhaust and from some industrial sources, and is also created from chemical reactions in the air among combustion pollutants, such as those in automobile exhaust.

SOME COMMON SOURCES OF FORMALDEHYDE INDOORS