Question from Christie Fairman
I never knew that even the picture frames in our homes have chemicals that can offgass. There is a new labeling system for “formaldyhyde compliant” with a phase number. I have looked everywhere for solid wood frames. But, mostly I kept finding the toxic picture frames. I am also trying to slowly replace items in my home.
Debra’s Answer
First I want to explain “formaldehyde compliant”.
The statement is “California 93120 compliant for formaldehyde” and it means that the amount of formaldehyde offgassing from the product at 73 degrees in a room that has one air exchange per hour will be at or below the California standard.
This standard was set up in California after a 2009 study showed that 98 percent of the homes tested exceeded the recommended formaldehyde limit established by the state, and the typical home exceeded the limit by four times.
But being formaldehyde compliant does not mean that the product is safe. This is based on meeting the standard when the temperature is 73 degrees and there is one air exchange per hour.
This means all the air in the room is replaced by new outside air every hour. Is that the case in your home? Keep in mind that when you are using your HVAC for heating or cooling, it probably is recycling the air to preserve the heat or coolness.
It also means that the air needs to be at 73 for compliance. The reate of offgassing doubles with every 10 degrees of temperature.
It would be a great idea if someone did a business with real wood frames. Most frames are just so toxic that it is an impossibility to get near them. Though one could buy metal, it is not my style. I enjoy more traditional wood frames. Oh, if only we could get away from mass-produced toxic stuff. My search continues for beautiful non toxic wood frames.
I searched Google for “real wood picture frames” (I mentioned Google specifically because all search engines do not give the same search results) and I found a number of websites that say they are using real wood. I’d love it if you would take a look at some of these and see if they meet your needs. And then tell us if they do or if they don’t, why not.
And because I’ve just spent 30 years with a man who can make anything (and often does), the next thing that came to mind was it’s probably pretty easy to make your own wood frames. A store like Woodcraft has small pieces of beautiful unfinished woods you can use. Many artists make their own frames. My step-grandmother was a painter and my step-grandfather made all her wooden frames.
We have them in Winchester Kentucky at Frames on Main.
The problem with second hand frames is that you rarely know their provenance and, therefore, whether they have been exposed to fragrances and pesticides.
Metal frames are a far less problematic solution for most.
I have had MCS reactions to picture frames. I’m thinking of shopping for second-hand frames that will already have off-gassed or other.