FURNITURE EFFECTS ON IAQ

The reclassification of Formaldehyde by the International Agency for research on Cancer as carcinogenic to humans has triggered enormous concern globally. Lack of awareness in India on the formaldehyde emissions from UF bonded panels is even more worrisome.

Furniture is a functionally needed utility, keeping in view the ergonomic design needed for good working conditions. One of the most neglected aspects in India is the knowledge of acceptable level of formaldehyde emissions in the office or home interiors. It is mostly released from the wood panels used in the fabrication of furniture like Plywood, Block board, Particleboard and Medium Density Fiberboards (MDF). Therefore, it is preferable that the furniture manufacturers use wood panels with E1 certification.

Formaldehyde exposure potentially causes a variety of symptoms and adverse health effects, such as eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation, coughing, wheezing, and allergic reactions. Long-term exposure to high levels of formaldehyde has been associated with cancer in humans. Formaldehyde can affect people differently. Some people are very sensitive to formaldehyde at a certain level while others may not have any noticeable reaction to the same level.

Formaldehyde levels in indoor air can vary depending on temperature, humidity, and air exchange rate within the indoor space. In addition, several studies have shown that, in the presence of ozone, formaldehyde levels increase; therefore, the outdoor and indoor ozone levels are also relevant.

Formaldehyde levels in internal office or home spaces may change with the season, day-to-day and day-to-night. Levels may be high on a hot and humid day and low on a cool, dry day.

Major sources of Indoor Formaldehyde emissions

Measuring formaldehyde emissions from individual interior product is difficult because a variety of furnishings in the office or homes can release formaldehyde or trap formaldehyde emitted from other sources. Products with greater emissions and larger surface areas in the office or homes will most likely have a greater contribution to indoor air formaldehyde levels.

Pressed-wood (i.e., hardwood plywood, particleboard, and medium-density fiberboard (MDF)) and wood-based products, especially those containing UF resins, may be a significant formaldehyde source. Moderate levels of formaldehyde initially follow application of wallpaper and paints. Some paints are now available with low-VOC formulations. Formaldehyde can be created from the chemical reaction between ozone and other VOCs during the use of personal computers, laser printers, and photocopiers. Products, such as carpets or gypsum board, do not contain significant amounts of formaldehyde when new. However, they may trap formaldehyde that is emitted into the air from other products and later release it into the indoor air.

RSG: HIERARCHY OF SAVINGS

RSG: HIERARCHY OF SAVINGS: A system that first takes care of fundamental concerns and only then moves to higher levels, can ensure disciplined investing You’ll ...

HIERARCHY OF SAVINGS

A system that first takes care of fundamental concerns and only then moves to higher levels, can ensure disciplined investing

You’ll probably be familiar with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, if you've studied psychology, or more likely, marketing as part of your business school curricula. This hierarchy was formulated by Abraham Maslow to classify and understand levels of needs that human beings have. Starting from the most basic level, these roughly correspond to physiological needs, safety, social needs and, at the top of the hierarchy, what he called, self-actualization. According to Maslow, needs at a higher level become important only when those at the lower level are met. Someone who does not have enough to eat or whose basic physical safety is not assured is unlikely to worry too much about the deeper meaning of his or her life.

It is interesting to see that this idea of hierarchy of needs can be useful in planning one’s savings and investments. There are types of investments that belong at a higher level of a ‘Hierarchy of Savings’ and shouldn't be attempted before the lower levels are taken care of.

Here’s what I think this ‘Hierarchy of Savings’ should be like.

Level 1: Basic contingency funds: This should be the money that you may need to handle a personal emergency. Should be available instantly, partly as physical cash and partly as funds that can be immediately withdrawn from a bank.

Level 2: Term Insurance: A realistic amount that should be calculated to allow your dependents to finance at least short- and medium-term life goals if you were to drop dead is struck with a debilitating injury or disease.

Level 3: Savings for Foreseeable Short-Term Goals: Money that is needed for expenses that are planned to be made within the next two to three years. Almost all of this should be in minimal risk deposit-type savings avenues.

Level 4: Savings for long-term foreseeable goals: Same as level 3, except the planned expenses are more than three to five years away. This level should be invested in equity and equity-backed investments like equity mutual funds.

One could think of many other levels beyond this and really, the details matter much less than the concept. Also, depending on one’s circumstances, any of the levels may have to be modified. However, this is not an asset allocation tool. The point of this exercise is to prevent yourself from going to higher level unless the lower one is fulfilled. It’s simply a way of reinforcing that there’s little point in trying to fine-tune how much you will earn in an equity investment if you haven’t put away cash for an immediate emergency or adequate term insurance cover.