Dilemma: how do I minimise the impact MDF/formaldehyde has on egg and sperm qualities

[LRed]

We had some new furniture made this week. We planed to paint them ourselves and carefully selected VOC free primer and paint. However, we completely ignored the fact that the MDF we chose to use is highly toxic and contains formaldehyde and probably other harmful chemicals. We regret so much that we didn't use wood instead, because I am supposed to have my third round of IVF this month. I've read It Start With the Egg. It doesn't mention MDF or formaldehyde. But I did a quick search online and read that they could increase chance of infertility. I am not surprised as our new furniture smells nasty enough to make me think that it can do harm to my body.

I have two options: A) Go ahead and start my egg collection stimulation next week, before we've inhaled too much of the toxics; B) Delay the egg collection cycle by a month, in the hope that the worst part of the toxics will be over by then, and our bodies have got over it. I have no idea which option is better or worse. All I know is that I'm 42 and don't have much time to lose...Any ideas or suggestions? Thank you all.

[Purpledoggy]

If it is just while you are spraying/treating it, why not get a proper chemical fume mask? I used one a while back spraying my kitchen tiles with lacquer after painting them. I got this one but obviously anything similar would be fine xx

screwfix.com/p/3m-4251-half...

[Purpledoggy in reply to Purpledoggy]

I read that again and I think it’s the fumes from the material itself you’re worried about. I doubt the amount of formaldehyde you’re breathing is significant-people work in diagnostic labs with neat/10% formaldehyde all the time and I’m not aware of fertility issues for them. Could you store the furniture temporarily if worried? Xx

[LRed in reply to Purpledoggy]

Hi Purpledoggy, thanks for you reply. Yes I am putting up mask tapes up wearing something exactly like that 😀 It took two carpenters two days to put up those alcove shelves, and our flat has piles of boxes from moving at the start of the pandemic due to lack of storage, so I guess we'd better keep the furniture around 😅

[Running79]

Hi

I don’t think the little amount of exposure you’ve had will cause any issues, it would be more for long term exposure

I’m 15 weeks + 6 - and the last two days (mainly because of the recoat time) I’ve used a solvent based paint, to paint a loft hatch - it’s recommended you steer clear of this kind of paint, but I opened all the windows to fully air the area, and wore my P3 mask, I could hardly smell the paint at all, I also wore gloves so it didn’t get in my skin

Because the exposure is so minimal I didn’t worry

I think you’ll be fine to crack on with your next cycle

[Rainbow40s]

I would just add that I think I read about it taking your body 3 months to impact on your most recent follicles so if anything, changes in your environment now would potentially have a greater impact on eggs you would find in follicles being used 3months from now? I'm not sure if that makes any sense but I thought it was written about in that book you mentioned although I have not read it myself... basically agree with other replies that you should not delay your treatment!

[LRed in reply to Rainbow40s]

yeah i was wondering the same - delaying it might mean we've inhaled the toxics more and make it worse.

[Running79 in reply to LRed]

I really wouldn’t worry your exposure will be so, so minimal as the consumer, if you were making the product it might be a different story!

it’s one of those every time you leave your house you breath in toxins - especially if you live near a road being petrol and diesel fumes.

Wish you luck with your next cycle

[LRed in reply to Running79]

Good point 👍

[Lapinblanc88]

Good thinking.!Formaldehyde is such a nasty toxin for everyone

Go ahead now as you're likely to absorb even more of it over the next week's/months

Open your windows as much as possible to get rid of the invisible fumes

Create a strong draft if possible and avoid staying in the room if possible

I think it's more the accumulation of toxins in our environment that matters more than one single source but you're very wise to think about it!

In this hot weather there is also sitting with bare legs on the sofa which contains fire retardant, hot plastic bottles etc..