Thread: That new fabric smell
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Old 07-31-2009, 10:01 PM
  #44  
GailG
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Location: Louisiana
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Originally Posted by ghostrider
The smell you are all raving about is formaldehyde, used as a finish to prevent winkles, deter insects, and stop mildew. It is used extensively in the textile industry and is a known hazard. http://www.nycosh.org/workplace_hazards/formal.html
Thank you for this information. That can explain my problem with coughing when I go into a fabric store. Also my hands itcing when I sew. Well so much for my love of new fabrics. I am now a firm believer in prewashing fabrics. Aw, shucks. Now I wish I knew how to send this information for my daughter to read.
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