California day care centers exceed standards…
California day care centers exceed standards for formaldehyde, study reveals
By Sandy Kleffman and Bay Area News Group | Bay Area News Group, San Mateo County Times, Mercury News
October 24, 2012 at 11:55 a.m.
UC Berkeley researchers found nearly nine out of 10 local day care centers exceeded state safety guidelines for formaldehyde, according to a new study, heightening concerns because children can be especially vulnerable to such chemicals.
An ingredient in some furniture glue, carpet, paints and fabrics, formaldehyde can trigger breathing difficulties and, at very high levels, has been identified as a cancer-causing agent.
But researchers noted that formaldehyde levels in day care centers are similar to those in many private homes and schools, and said exposures need to be reduced everywhere.
"It's not like child care is uniquely dangerous to kids," said Asa Bradman, the study's lead author and associate director of the UC Berkeley Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health.
"I wouldn't expect an immediate health effect, but we shouldn't have exposures above these levels," he said.
In the first such comprehensive study, researchers monitored the air and took floor dust samples from 40 day care centers in Alameda and Monterey counties during 2010 and 2011.
The tests, funded by the California Air Resources Board, found most pollutants to be within safety standards.
But in 35 of the 40 facilities, formaldehyde levels exceeded the state guideline of 9 micrograms per cubic meter over eight hours.
Children breathe in more air in comparison to their body weight than adults, so they are considered more susceptible to harmful health effects from chemicals and toxins.
Formaldehyde is contained in the glues used in furniture made from composite wood products such as pressboard, plywood and particle board. It can also be emitted from wood burning and gas stoves.
It is found in some carpets and carpet pads, paints and coatings, furniture fabrics, draperies and permanent press clothing.
And it can form when certain chemicals from cleaners and sanitizers, such as d-limonene, react with ozone and other compounds in the air. D-limonene is made from citrus peels and is used to produce a lemon-orange scent.
The executive director of the Cambridge Child Development Center in Concord, which was not one of the tested centers, called the study a good idea.
"Our children are here seven to 10 hours a day and they spend about two-thirds of that time inside the building," said Kathy Lafferty. "So I think it's very valid to see if this environment is a healthy one."
Lafferty said the Cambridge center has more tile floors than carpeting because it is easier to keep tile clean and chemical-free. She also buys hardwood furniture instead of pressboard products, mainly because it is more durable.
But despite their best intentions, she added, day care center operators have a challenge in picking safe but effective disinfectants.
"We're conscious of children's allergies, but we do have to keep things clean," Lafferty said. "We have multiple concerns. We don't want to spread germs around either."
One way that day care centers and parents can seek safer cleaning products is to find those certified by a third party, such as Green Seal or Eco Logo, said Victoria Leonard, a scientist at UC San Francisco's Institute for Health and Aging, who was not involved in the study.
But Leonard agreed that without outside help, choosing safe products can be difficult.
"The problem with cleaning products is that manufacturers are not required to list all of the ingredients," she said.
"There are a lot of toxic chemicals that are in fragrances and air fresheners," she added. "Those things are full of chemicals that are not on the label."
It is becoming easier to find safer furniture, however, thanks to new rules adopted in 2008 by the California Air Resources Board limiting the amount of formaldehyde allowed. Today, many pressed wood furniture products are available that emit little or no formaldehyde.
But because the law is being phased in, some furniture on the market still emits relatively high levels of the chemical, Bradman said.
He noted that day care center operators and parents can take several steps to limit chemical exposures, including improving ventilation in rooms, avoiding the use of air fresheners and using a range hood and fan when cooking on a gas stove.
"I don't want people to panic," Bradman said. "Child care providers are underfunded and don't have the resources to deal with a lot of these issues. The rest of society has to help them out by making better products that don't lead to these problems."
Sandy Kleffman covers health. Contact her at 510-293-2478. Follow her at Twitter.com/skleffman.
ways to reduce exposures
Buy wood products and furniture labeled as California 93120 Compliant for Formaldehyde-Phase 2, or certified as California ULEF (ultra-low-emitting formaldehyde) or NAF (no added formaldehyde).
Turn on the range hood when using a gas stove.
Use household cleaning products that are low in levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are certified as "green."
Use other methods besides pesticides to get rid of pests.
Clean frequently to minimize dust, which can contain compounds such as PBDEs, phthalates, and lead and other metals.
Sandy Kleffman