402F04026
AN UPDATE ON
FORMALDEHYD
1997 REVISION
U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20207
SM-2
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What is Formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde is an important industrial chemical used to make other
chemicals, building materials, and household products. It is one of the
large family of chemical compounds called volatile organic compounds
or 'VOCs'. The term volatile means that the compounds vaporize, that
is, become a gas, at normal room temperatures. Formaldehyde serves
many purposes in products. It is used as a part of:
* the glue or adhesive in pressed wood products (particleboard, hard-
wood plywood, and medium density fiberboard (MDF));
* preservatives in some paints, coatings, and cosmetics;
* the coating that provides permanent press quality to fabrics and
draperies;
* the finish used to coat paper products; and
* certain insulation materials (urea-formaldehyde foam and fiberglass
insulation).
Formaldehyde is released into the air by burning wood, kerosene or
natural gas, by automobiles, and by cigarettes. Formaldehyde can off-
gas from materials made with it. It is also a naturally occurring sub-
stance.
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The U.S. Consumer Safety Commission has produced this booklet to
tell you about formaldehyde found in the indoor air. This booklet tells
you where you may come in contact with formaldehyde, how it may
affect your health, and how you might reduce your exposure to it.
Why Should You Be Concerned?
Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling gas. When present in the
air at levels above 0.1 ppm (parts in a million parts of air), it can cause
watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes, nose and throat, nausea,
coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, skin rashes, and allergic reactions.
It also has been observed to cause cancer in scientific studies using
laboratory animals and may cause cancer in humans. Typical expo-
sures to humans are much lower; thus any risk of causing cancer is
believed to be small at the level at which humans are exposed.
Formaldehyde can affect people differently. Some people are very sen-
sitive to formaldehyde while others may not have any noticeable reac-
tion to the same level.
Persons have developed allergic reactions (allergic skin disease and
hives) to formaldehyde through skin contact with solutions of
formaldehyde or durable-press clothing containing formaldehyde.
Others have developed asthmatic reactions and skin rashes from expo-
sure to formaldehyde.
Formaldehyde is just one of several gases present indoors that may
cause illnesses. Many of these gases, as well as colds and flu, cause
similar symptoms.
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What Levels of Formaldehyde Are Normal?
Formaldehyde is normally present at low levels, usually less than 0.03
ppm, in both outdoor and indoor air. The outdoor air in rural areas has
lower concentrations while urban areas have higher concentrations.
Residences or offices that contain products that release formaldehyde
to the air can have formaldehyde levels of greater than 0.03 ppm.
Products that may add formaldehyde to the air include particleboard
used as flooring underlayment, shelving, furniture and cabinets; MDF
in cabinets and furniture; hardwood plywood wall panels, and urea-
formaldehyde foam used as insulation. As formaldehyde levels
increase, illness or discomfort is more likely to occur and may be more
serious.
Efforts have been made by both the government and industry to reduce
exposure to formaldehyde. CPSC voted to ban urea-formaldehyde
foam insulation in 1982. That ban was over-turned in the courts, but
this action greatly reduced the residential use of the insulation product.
CPSC, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
and other federal agencies have historically worked with the pressed
wood industry to further reduce the release of the chemical from their
products. A 1985 HUD regulation covering the use of pressed wood
products in manufactured housing was designed to ensure that indoor
levels are below 0.4 ppm. However, it would be unrealistic to expect
to completely remove formaldehyde from the air. Some persons who
are extremely sensitive to formaldehyde may need to reduce or stop
using these products.
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What Affects Formaldehyde Levels?
Formaldehyde levels in the indoor air depend mainly on what is releas-
ing the formaldehyde (the source), the temperature, the humidity, and
the air exchange rate (the amount of outdoor air entering or leaving the
indoor area). Increasing the flow of outdoor air to the inside decreases
the formaldehyde levels. Decreasing this flow of outdoor air by seal-
ing the residence or office increases the formaldehyde level in the
indoor air.
As the temperature rises, more formaldehyde is emitted from the prod-
uct. The reverse is also true; less formaldehyde is emitted at lower
temperature. Humidity also affects the release of formaldehyde from
the product. As humidity rises more formaldehyde is released.
The formaldehyde levels in a residence change with the season and
from day-to-day and day-to-night. Levels may be high on a hot and
humid day and low on a cool, dry day. Understanding these factors is
important when you consider measuring the levels of formaldehyde.
Some sources-such as pressed wood products containing urea-
formaldehyde glues, urea-formaldehyde foam insulation, durable-press
fabrics, and draperies-release more formaldehyde when new. As they
age, the formaldehyde release decreases.
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What are the Major Sources?
1. Urea-formaldehyde foam insulation: During the 1970s, many
homeowners installed this insulation to save energy. Many of these
homes had high levels of formaldehyde soon afterwards. Sale of
urea-formaldehyde foam insulation has largely stopped.
Formaldehyde released from this product decreases rapidly after
the first few months and reaches background levels in a few years.
Therefore, urea-formaldehyde foam insulation installed 5 to 10
years ago is unlikely to still release formaldehyde.
2. Durable-press fabrics, draperies and coated paper products: In the
early 1960s, there were several reports of allergic reactions to
formaldehyde from durable-press fabrics and coated paper prod-
ucts. Such reports have declined in recent years as industry has
taken steps to reduce formaldehyde levels. Draperies made of
formaldehyde-treated durable press fabrics may add slightly to
indoor formaldehyde levels.
3. Cosmetics, paints, coatings, and some wet-strength paper products:
The amount of formaldehyde present in these products is small and
is of slight concern. However, persons sensitive to formaldehyde
may have allergic reactions.
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4. Pressed wood products: Pressed wood products, especially those
containing urea-formaldehyde glues, are a source of formaldehyde.
These products include particleboard used as flooring underlay-
ment, shelves, cabinets, and furniture; hardwood plywood wall
panels; and medium density fiberboard used in drawers, cabinets
and furniture. When the surfaces and edges of these products are
unlaminated or uncoated they have the potential to release more
formaldehyde. Manufacturers have reduced formaldehyde emis-
sions from pressed wood products by 80-90% from the levels of
the early 1980's.
5. Combustion sources: Burning materials such as wood, kerosene,
cigarettes and natural gas, and operating internal combustion
engines (e.g. automobiles), produce small quantities of formalde-
hyde. Combustion sources add small amounts of formaldehyde to
indoor air.
6. Products such as carpets or gypsum board do not contain signifi-
cant amounts of formaldehyde when new. They may trap
formaldehyde emitted from other sources and later release the
formaldehyde into the indoor air when the temperature and humidi-
ty change.
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Do You Have Formaldehyde-Related Symptoms?
There are several formaldehyde-related symptoms, such as watery
eyes, runny nose, burning sensation in the eyes, nose, and throat,
headaches and fatigue. These symptoms may also occur because of
the common cold, the flu or other pollutants that may be present in the
indoor air. If these symptoms lessen when you are away from home or
office but reappear upon your return, they may be caused by indoor
pollutants, including formaldehyde. Examine your environment. Have
you recently moved into a new or different home or office? Have you
recently remodeled or installed new cabinets or furniture? Symptoms
may be due to formaldehyde exposure. You should contact your physi-
cian and/or state or local health department for help. Your physician
can help to determine if the cause of your symptoms is formaldehyde
or other pollutants.
Should You Measure Formaldehyde?
Only trained professionals should measure formaldehyde because they
know how to interpret the results. If you become ill, and the illness
persists following the purchase of furniture or remodeling with pressed
wood products, you might not need to measure formaldehyde. Since
these are possible sources, you can take action. You may become ill
after painting, sealing, making repairs, and/or applying pest control
treatment in your home or office. In such cases, indoor air pollutants
other than formaldehyde may be the cause. If the source is not obvi-
ous, you should consult a physician to determine whether or not your
symptoms might relate to indoor air quality problems. If your physi-
cian believes that you may be sensitive to formaldehyde, you may want
to make some measurements. As discussed earlier, many factors can
affect the level of formaldehyde on a given day in an office or resi-
dence. This is why a professional is best suited to make an accurate
measurement of the levels.
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Do-it-yourself formaldehyde measuring devices are available, however
these devices can only provide a "ball park" estimate for the formalde-
hyde level in the area. If you use such a device, carefully follow the
instructions.
How Do You Reduce^Qmialdehydejxposure?
Every day you probably use many products that contain formaldehyde.
You may not be able to avoid coming in contact with some formalde-
hyde in your normal daily routine. If you are sensitive to formalde-
hyde, you will need to avoid many everyday items to reduce symp-
toms. For most people, a low-level exposure to formaldehyde (up to
0.1 ppm) does not produce symptoms. People who suspect they are
sensitive to formaldehyde should work closely with a knowledgeable
physician to make sure that it is formaldehyde causing their symptoms.
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You can avoid exposure to higher levels by:
* Purchasing pressed wood products such as particleboard, MDF, or
hardwood plywood for construction or remodeling of homes, or for
do-it-yourself projects, that are labeled or stamped to be in confor-
mance with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) criteria.
Particleboard should be in conformance with ANSI A208.1-1993.
For particleboard flooring, look for ANSI grades "PBU", "D2", or
"D3" actually stamped on the panel. MDF should be in confor-
mance with ANSI A208.2-1994; and hardwood plywood with
ANSI/HPVA HP-1-1994. These standards all specify lower
formaldehyde emission levels.
* Purchasing furniture or cabinets that contain a high percentage of
panel surface and edges that are laminated or coated. Unlaminated
or uncoated (raw) panels of pressed wood products will generally
emit more formaldehyde than those that are laminated or coated.
* Using alternative products such as wood panel products not made
with urea-formaldehyde glues, lumber or metal.
* Avoiding the use of foamed-in-place insulation containing
formaldehyde, especially urea-formaldehyde foam insulation.
* Washing durable-press fabrics before use.
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How Do You Reduce Existing FormaldehydeJ-eyels?^
The choice of methods to reduce formaldehyde is unique to your situa-
tion. People who can help you select appropriate methods are your
state or local health department, physician, or professional expert in
indoor air problems. Here are some of the methods to reduce indoor
levels of formaldehyde.
1. Bring large amounts of fresh air into the home. Increase ventila-
tion by opening doors and windows and installing an exhaust
fan(s).
2. Seal the surfaces of the formaldehyde-containing products that are
not already laminated or coated. You may use a vapor barrier such
as some paints, varnishes, or a layer of vinyl or polyurethane-like
materials. Be sure to seal completely, with a material that does not
itself contain formaldehyde. Many paints and coatings will emit
other VOCs when curing, so be sure to ventilate the area well dur-
ing and after treatment.
3. Remove from your home the product that is releasing formalde-
hyde in the indoor air. When other materials in the area such as
carpets, gypsum boards, etc., have absorbed formaldehyde, these
products may also start releasing it into the air. Overall levels of
formaldehyde can be lower if you increase the ventilation over an
extended period.
One method NOT recommended by CPSC is a chemical treatment
with strong ammonia (28-29% ammonia in water) which results in a
temporary decrease in formaldehyde levels. We strongly discourage
such treatment since ammonia in this strength is extremely dan-
gerous to handle. Ammonia may damage the brass fittings of a natur-
al gas system, adding a fire and explosion danger.
HI
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For more information about biological pollutants, combustion pol-
lutants, asbestos, and indoor air quality in your home, write to:
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Washington, DC 20207
CPSC's toll-free hotline: 800-638-2772
CPSC's web site: http://www.cpsc.gov
American Lung Association
1740 Broadway
New York, NY 10019-4374
(local ALA offices also have information)
Local and State Health Departments
For a copy of "The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality,'
send 50l to:
Consumer Information Center
Dept. 434-W
Pueblo, CO 81009
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