Eyes stinging😱 Post-Reno Formaldehyde Buster 🦠⚔️

After Reno, my eyes kept watering especially when the windows are closed. This uncomfortable sensation is caused by the formaldehyde (which is a toxic substance) from the newly done carpentry.

I researched on ways to get rid of it and came across the Dyson TP09.

📌 Pros of the Dyson TP09:

- Unlike the other Dyson ranges, TP09 claims to “destroy” formaldehyde, which the others just “traps” it.

- Dyson’s CADR, which essentially means the amount of air it purifies, is quite small as compared to other air purifiers in the market. However, it claims to have a more powerful filtration system.

- It has an extremely useful sensor to track the exact cause of pollution in your home (traffic exhaust, cooking fumes, scents, dirt and of course, HCHO 😖

📌 Effectiveness

My Dyson measured HCHO levels in my house to be 0.3-0.4 which is in the orange/red zone. Even with the Dyson on, the HCHO levels will only maintain or increase. Hence, my hypothesis is that the rate of HCHO release exceeds the Dyson’s capacity to destroy.

📌 What really worked

My eyes will start to water when the windows are closed (aircon is on) and there’s no ventilation after 5-6 hours. true enough, the HCHO levels will get super high.

But once I open the windows and doors to allow “air change”, the HCHO immediately drops down to the green zone (0.025)!!

So I guess what works better to rid HCHO is literally to VENTILATE.

I doubt there’re products to remove or reduce HCHO well enough because it will continue off-gassing for a long time and you can’t possibly go through so many of such products (HCHO absorbing gels, charcoals from Shopee) while keeping cost low.

After using the Dyson for a few months, I doubt it is that effective in removing HCHO too. But the Dyson’s main use is to measure HCHO levels so I know when it’s time to ventilate 😂

And on occasions where I switch on the AC, at least there’s something to help remove some HCHO.

So in conclusion, the Dyson helps if you cannot ventilate your home. But if you can, it’s honestly the cheapest and most importantly, BEST way 👍

📌 Hot Tip: Old furniture that has been sufficiently aired and ventilated will not have HCHO. When using the Dyson in my old room (lived in for 15 over years) the HCHO reading was 0.001. It’s at least 0.315 in the newly renovated home under similar testing conditions. Maybe buying old furniture has its perks.

📌 Other Options

- I’ve also heard of getting professionals to apply a “treatment”. However this costs $$$ of course and I wonder if anyone has really tested to see if the HCHO levels really went down (test in closed windows condition for best results)

- I read on “Living with Sun”’s Lemon8 post that you can do a Formaldehyde Cook-out. HCHO gasses more when the weather is hot. Hence, it is to increase room temperature while keeping windows closed, then airing it. Repeat over as many times.

Formaldehyde poisoning is a real thing, and I’m surprised not as many new home owners are as concerned.

I also heard that HCHO lasts 7 years ☠️ So far it’s been 3 months, and I’m still affected by the HCHO because my eyes still feel watery 🥺

Lmk if anyone has any insights on this!!