In recent months, if you’ve been a regular follower of news outlets like The Straits Times and Channel News Asia, you may have noticed that there has been plenty of coverage about formaldehyde poisoning in homes.

The question is: Why is this “silent killer” allowed to permeate so many of our homes so easily?  

I’ll reveal the answer below. But be warned…you may not like what I have to say.

In fact, most of you will probably be angry and start swearing at your screen after reading this!

However, the truth must be revealed. So far, I’ve largely kept silent about this formaldehyde issue. 

But due to the recent spates of formaldehyde poisoning cases, it’s my responsibility to inform the public about the truth of why this is happening, and how you can prevent it from happening to you.

So if you’re still interested to find out the reason, read on below.

 

The $40,000 ID Mistake Which Inspired Me To Write This “Expose”

 

 

When I saw this article in The Straits Times, I felt a mix of emotions.

Anger. Disgust. Fear. 

Anger, because yet another home owner wasted a big sum of money only to suffer debilitating health issues. 

Disgust, because yet another unscrupulous ID firm has gotten away with daylight robbery.

Fear, because there probably are many other home owners who have fallen (or will fall) victim to such unethical practices. 

If you missed that article, here’s a brief summary:

 

  • A lady spent $40,000 on renovations for her new condo after moving in.

 

  • She started feeling sick days after moving in. Symptoms include burning sensation in her eyes, up her nostrils and down her throat. She could not breathe and was short of breath at times.

 

  • Her 2 cats spent most of their time in the balcony, refusing to step inside. Even so, the cats were losing fur, keeping their eyes shut and leaving red patches.

 

  • After seeing an ophthalmologist, she was diagnosed with formaldehyde poisoning

 

  • After moving in, she noticed a pungent odour all over. However, she dismissed it as simply a “new house smell”. Only after she was diagnosed, did she realize that the smell was due to harmful formaldehyde emissions.

 

  • Despite having 6 treatments to clean her house of formaldehyde, levels still remain above industry safety standards. According to the article, the level of formaldehyde in her home was “enough to kill a band of wild horses”.

 

  • After contacting her ID firm, they admitted using the cheapest materials for her renovation work, without consideration for high formaldehyde levels.

 

  • A lawyer was quoted in the article, saying that her main recourse would be to sue the ID firm for negligence.

 

The harsh truth is that while majority of ID firms are honest and ethical, quite a few are the exact opposite.

Cases-in-point: All the recent formaldehyde poisoning cases.

I know this industry. I know the prices. I know the suppliers.

I know that cheap plywood exists. And are easy to acquire.

Currently, there are no regulations governing the quality of plywood used in homes and public areas (hopefully this changes soon). 

Meaning that anyone can import dangerous, formaldehyde-emitting plywood and install them in homes.

It’s not right. And home owners are paying the price, both from their pockets and their health.

 

But Is It Really Worth It?

 

All of us are in business to make money, and to provide for our loved ones. 

But to go to this extent for a quick buck, to harm the health of others, not to mention to swindle their money…is it really worth it? 

Is it really worth throwing away integrity and conscience and everything good…just for a bit of profit?

For me, definitely not. 

I won’t be able to sleep at night if I stoop to that level. Sometimes, I wonder if those who do it are even affected by the guilt.

 

 

GoDesign has over 40 years of experience and track record in the ID space.

We have a 5-star rating on Google reviews. 

How have we survived (and thrived) for so long in this competitive industry?

Simple. We NEVER compromise on quality, just to make a quick buck.

That is a penny-wise, pound-foolish approach. 

Definitely not how we conduct business!

So if you’re looking for the most reliable ID firm around for your renovation needs, feel free to contact us below!