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Floors? Check. Walls? Check. Now it's time to fill up the little tyke's room. Here are some things to watch out for before you call in the movers:
1. Avoid conventional pressed-wood products: When it comes to furnishing your nursery, avoid pieces made from plywood, particle board, and medium-density fiberboard (MDF), because they often contain formaldehyde in their glues. (You can also find formaldehyde lurking in drapes, carpets, and some foam insulation.) A severe eye, nose, and throat irritant, formaldehyde is a leading indoor air pollutant classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a probable human carcinogen. Kidlets and nuggets in vitro are, of course, more susceptible than us grownups.
Pressed-wood manufacturers have reduced toxic emissions by 80 percent or more over the past 20 years, but minute concentrations of the gas can still result in nausea, difficulty breathing, chest pains, headaches, and may trigger attacks in people with asthma. So not fun.
2. Seal in harmful fumes: If you have concerns about your existing furniture, especially pieces you'll be hauling into the nursery, you can purchase eco-friendly formaldehyde sealants, such as AFM Safecoat Safe Seal, to block off any formaldehyde vapors. Varnishes such as polyurethane and nitrocellulose are also effective when you brush on a double coating. The EPA- and U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded Healthy Indoor Air for America's Homes project recommends applying generous coatings to all exposed edges and surfaces, including the undersides of countertops, cabinet interiors, and any drawers. Keeping your home well-ventilated will also help disperse any lingering toxic vapors.
3. Check for Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) certification: When buying new, look out for the FSC seal, which assures you that the wood was harvested from sustainably managed forests.
4. Buy pre-owned: A safer, eco-friendlier, and more frugal option is to buy used: Furniture more than a few years old is likely to have released all its harmful chemical fumes by the time it's ready for your kinder, making them fine options next to buying furniture made from solid wood, wicker, or rattan.
Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
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