Science Academy backs EPA view that Formaldehyde causes Cancer

A panel of top US scientists has backed a US Environmental Protection Agency draft toxicological risk assessment review that found formaldehyde, a chemical with broad industrial uses, to be a human carcinogen. However, the Aug. 9 report, by the US National Academy of Sciences (NAS), was challenged by the American Chemistry Council (ACC), a trade association, even before it was publicly released.

The NAS review was commissioned by the EPA to assess the draft risk assessment, which was completed more than a year ago and was conducted through the agency’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program. The EPA’s assessment cites evidence that inhaling formaldehyde causes nasopharyngeal cancer, sinonasal cancer, and myeloid leukemia in humans. If finalized, the IRIS assessment will serve as a benchmark for future formaldehyde-related regulations.

Much could turn on the formaldehyde risk assessment and subsequent regulation. By volume, formaldehyde is one of the nation’s highest-production chemicals. It is used in many wood products, such as cabinets, furniture, flooring, and particle board, as well as in permanent press clothing, cosmetics, paints, glues, and many household and consumer products. The ACC says formaldehyde-containing products support nearly 1 million workers and generate over half a trillion dollars in annual US sales.

Click Here for Link to Article in Chemical & Engineering News Science Magazine

From The US EPA: What should I know about Formaldehyde and Indoor Air Quality

In homes, the most significant sources of formaldehyde are likely to be pressed wood products made using adhesives that contain urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins.... Medium density fiberboard contains a higher resin-to-wood ratio than any other UF pressed wood product and is generally recognized as being the highest formaldehyde-emitting pressed wood product....

...In homes with significant amounts of new pressed wood products, levels can be three times the amount of older homes.

Click Here for Link to Article in US EPA: What should I know about formaldehyde and indoor air quality?

EPA Draws link between Low-Dose Formaldehyde Exposure and Cancer:

April 14, 2022, U.S. EPA announces it will officially designate that Formaldehyde causes cancer, even in low doses over long periods of time....

...EPA’s 2018 National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA) data, formaldehyde is one of the three air pollutants responsible for over 90 percent of the cancer risk related to air pollution in over a hundred census tracts...

Click Here for Link to Article in National Law Review

EPA is Hiding Proof that Formaldehyde causes Leukemia

"It's my understanding that the EPA has finalized its conclusion that formaldehyde causes leukemia and other cancers," Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) told EPA Director Scott Pruitt"

The EPA Cheif responded: "You know, my understanding is similar to yours."

Link to Article in New York Magazine

EPA intentionally delayed release of cancer study, officials say

Link to Article in CNN

EPA sitting on warnings about cancer-causing chemical: report

Link to Article in Huffington Post

Sources: EPA blocks warnings on cancer-causing chemical

Link to Article in Politico

IMPORTANT: Read The California EPA Report That Started it ALL!

Composite Wood Products Industry reached a compromise to REDUCE formaldehyde (NOT eliminate it)

Highlights from the Report:

"Identified as a Toxic Air Contaminent in 1992. No level of exposure considered safe" See Page 5
Lists higher risks of asthma, lung issues and increased allergic propensity with Children. See Page 9
"Childhood risk (9 years): 23-63 cancer cases per million" See Page 31
"Lifetime risk (70 years): 860231 cancer cases per million" See Page 31
"Carb Compliant Phase 1: 12-35 cases reduced" See Page 49
"Carb Compliant Phase 2: 35-97 cases reduced" See Page 49
"Increased cost for panel price $3 to $7 per 4' x 8' panel" See Page 51
Imact on industry Profitability: Particle Board, from $120,000 to $18 million. See Page 53
Imact on industry Profitability: Medium Density Fiberboard, from $0 to $16 million. See Page 53

Read the Report Yourself: Airborne Toxic Control Measure to Reduce Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products

What materials are closet manufacturers using?

Why is it that none of these manufacturers publically list what their product is made out of? See for yourself...try and find it on their website.

Senior Medical Producer for CNN reports "5 Toxics that are everywhere: Protect Yourself"

Bisphenol A, Phthalates
Phthalates, PFOA
Perfluorooctanoic acid
Formaldehyde
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers

Formaldehyde:

What it does: Formaldehyde is an ingredient in resins that act as a glue in the manufacture of pressed wood products.

Where it's found: Pressed wood products such as particle board, plywood, paneling and fiberboard

How we're exposed: Breathing "off-gassing" from products containing formaldehyde.

Health effects: Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen, causing cancers of the respiratory or gastrointestinal tract. Formaldehyde fumes can also cause nausea, skin irritation, watery eyes, or burning eyes, nose and throat.

What you can do to reduce exposure: Buying furniture free from formaldehyde eliminates much of the exposure we face from the chemical. One option to reduce "off-gassing": purchase "exterior grade" pressed-wood products, which emit formaldehyde at significantly lower rates. If you have wood products containing formaldehyde, increase ventilation, reduce humidity with air conditioning or dehumidifiers and keep your home cool.

Link to article: CNN Toxic America Report: 5 toxics that are everywhere, Protect yourself

Published by The American Cancer Society:

Inhaling formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is normally present at low levels in both indoor and outdoor air, although levels are usually higher indoors. Materials containing formaldehyde can release it as a gas or vapor into the air. Possible sources of exposure: Pressed-wood products containing formaldehyde resins are often a source of formaldehyde in homes.

Based on the available evidence, some of these expert agencies have evaluated the cancer-causing potential of formaldehyde. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is part of the World Health Organization (WHO). One of its major goals is to identify causes of cancer. IARC has concluded that formaldehyde is "carcinogenic to humans" based on sufficient evidence it can cause nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia. The US National Toxicology Program (NTP) is formed from parts of several different US government agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The NTP lists formaldehyde as "known to be a human carcinogen." The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), an electronic database that contains information on human health effects from exposure to various substances in the environment. The EPA has classified formaldehyde as a "probable human carcinogen."