An Update On Formaldehyde: 1997 Revision
Consumer Product Safety Commission
An Update On Formaldehyde: 1997 Revision
CPSC Document #725
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, hardwood 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 substance.
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 exposures 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
sensitive to formaldehyde while others may not have any
noticeable reaction 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
exposure 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.
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.
What Affects Formaldehyde Levels?
Formaldehyde levels in the indoor air depend mainly on what is
releasing 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 sealing the residence or
office increases the formaldehyde level in the indoor air.
As the temperature rises, more formaldehyde is emitted from the
product. 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.
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 products. 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.
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 underlayment, 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 emissions from pressed wood products by
80-90% from the levels of the early 1980Õs.
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 formaldehyde. Combustion sources add small amounts of
formaldehyde to indoor air.
6. Products such as carpets or gypsum board do not contain
significant 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
humidity change.
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 physician 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 obvious, you
should consult a physician to determine whether or not your
symptoms might relate to indoor air quality problems. If your
physician 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 residence. This is why a professional is best suited
to make an accurate measurement of the levels.
Do-it-yourself formaldehyde measuring devices are available,
however these devices can only provide a "ball park" estimate for
the formaldehyde level in the area. If you use such a device,
carefully follow the instructions.
How Do You Reduce Formaldehyde Exposure?
Every day you probably use many products that contain
formaldehyde. You may not be able to avoid coming in contact
with some formaldehyde in your normal daily routine. If you are
sensitive to formaldehyde, you will need to avoid many everyday
items to reduce symptoms. 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.
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
conformance 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 conformance 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.
How Do You Reduce Existing Formaldehyde Levels?
The choice of methods to reduce formaldehyde is unique to your
situation. 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
ventilation 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 during and after treatment.
3. Remove from your home the product that is releasing
formaldehyde 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 dangerous to handle. Ammonia may damage the brass
fittings of a natural gas system, adding a fire and explosion
danger.
For more information about biological pollutants, combustion
pollutants, 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 50¢ to:
Consumer Information Center
Dept. 434-W
Pueblo, CO 81009