Septic systems and formaldehyde
06-11-2012, 03:19 PM
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Horse Country, FL
Posts: 7,341
Septic systems and formaldehyde
This information is from my brother who teaches about wastewater treatment at a university and planned, built, and runs a treatment plant for a city. So I trust his information. The link below pertains to RVers and such, but the information would be similar for those of us on home septics. More than you wanted to know, but a relief after reading.
The following link is the worst case scenario. I think most formaldehyde based products are off the market because nobody wants them. The problem here is the concentration.
http://www.epa.gov/region9/water/gro...wastewater.pdf
As I'm sure you have heard "the solution to pollution is dilution." In the case of the small amount of formaldehyde that will result from washing fabric I doubt there is any concern. Formaldehyde is an organic molecule that is food for some types of bacteria. The bacteria will break it down as long as the concentration isn't high enough to be toxic.
You could air out the fabric on a clothes line before washing it. That should lower the formaldehyde concentration prior to washing. Just smelling the fabric will give you a good idea of how much formaldehyde is present. I never realized what the smell was, but now have made the connection.
Long story short, not to worry. The septic will be fine with the little bit of formaldehyde you add from washing a few yards of cloth.
The following link is the worst case scenario. I think most formaldehyde based products are off the market because nobody wants them. The problem here is the concentration.
http://www.epa.gov/region9/water/gro...wastewater.pdf
As I'm sure you have heard "the solution to pollution is dilution." In the case of the small amount of formaldehyde that will result from washing fabric I doubt there is any concern. Formaldehyde is an organic molecule that is food for some types of bacteria. The bacteria will break it down as long as the concentration isn't high enough to be toxic.
You could air out the fabric on a clothes line before washing it. That should lower the formaldehyde concentration prior to washing. Just smelling the fabric will give you a good idea of how much formaldehyde is present. I never realized what the smell was, but now have made the connection.
Long story short, not to worry. The septic will be fine with the little bit of formaldehyde you add from washing a few yards of cloth.
Last edited by coopah; 06-11-2012 at 03:23 PM. Reason: added introduction
06-13-2012, 05:05 AM
#4
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Horse Country, FL
Posts: 7,341
It surprised me that airing the fabric would decrease the formaldehyde! Easy way to lighten any septic worries. Never thought I'd be asking my brother for quilting related advice!! LOL
06-13-2012, 05:15 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Boston, MA area
Posts: 970
06-13-2012, 05:05 PM
#7
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Horse Country, FL
Posts: 7,341
CMW, the reference was my brother's response to me...but what does he know about how much fabric I use? LOLI think there are a lot of quilter's out there that wash quite a few yards!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
QuiltingNinaSue
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
13
08-28-2014 07:27 AM
olmphoto2
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
7
05-24-2011 06:47 AM
