formaldehyde.americanchemistry.comFormaldehyde Overview

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Read More Responsible Care Search Formaldehyde Formaldehyde TSCA Risk Evaluation Consortium In an effort to share costs and promote efficiency, some formaldehyde stakeholders have formed a consortium to provide relevant science that can inform EPA's TSCA risk evaluation. Learn More Formaldehyde is Going to be Reviewed by EPA Again, and That’s a Good Thing With years of scientific study, hundreds of peer-reviewed studies, and millions of dollars spent in conducting and communicating scientific research, why is a TSCA risk evaluation so important? Here’s why. Learn More Explaining EPA’s Fees Process for New TSCA Risk Evaluations A $1.35 million fee for each EPA-initiated risk evaluation will be divided among companies that have manufactured or imported the chemical in any volume in the past five years. Learn More Findings Confirm Inhaled Formaldehyde Doesn’t Travel Beyond the Nose Cutting-edge research gives us most accurate findings yet demonstrating low human health risk from environmental exposure levels. LEARN MORE INFOGRAPHIC Formaldehyde Occurs Naturally and Is All Around Us Formaldehyde metabolizes quickly in the body, breaks down rapidly, is not persistent and does not accumulate in the body. Infographic Overview Overview TSCA Risk Evaluation TSCA FAQs Science & Research Benefits Applications Health & Safety FAQs About Us Contact Us Panel: Kimberly White Media: Sarah Scruggs What Is Formaldehyde? Formaldehyde occurs naturally and is all around us. Formaldehyde is found in every living system – from plants to animals to humans – produced as part of our normal metabolic process. Formaldehyde is one of the most well-studied chemicals in use today. A large body of research supports it safety and protective regulatory standards are in place to ensure the safe use of formaldehyde-based technologies and applications. Human Exposure to Formaldehyde The general effects of formaldehyde on the human body are well-known. Inhaled formaldehyde is an irritant to the eyes, nose and throat at levels in the 0.5 – 1.0 ppm range. According to the large body of research available, the levels of formaldehyde in the air to which the public may experience (generally < 0.1 ppm) are not high enough to cause adverse health effects. To learn more, click here . Humans Produce Formaldehyde Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring substance made of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Humans produce about 1.5 ounces of formaldehyde a day as a normal part of our metabolism. Inhaled formaldehyde is rapidly metabolized and ultimately converted to carbon dioxide and exhaled. Formaldehyde does not accumulate in the body. To learn more, click here . A Natural By-Product Formaldehyde also occurs as a by-product of all combustion processes, such as forest fires, automotive exhaust and cooking. Low levels of formaldehyde occur naturally in a variety of fruits and vegetables, including apples, carrots and bananas. It does not accumulate in the environment or within plants and animals. To learn more, click here . One of the Most Studied Chemicals in Use Today Formaldehyde is found naturally in rural, urban and indoor air, and can be found or off gassed at very low levels in many household products such as latex paint, furniture and cabinets. Formaldehyde levels in typical indoor environments are well below concentrations that could trigger sensory irritation in most people. Typical household formaldehyde concentration levels are between 16 and 32 ppb. The World Health Organization has set protective indoor air guidelines for formaldehyde at 80 ppb. Formaldehyde Designated for TSCA Risk Evaluation When a chemistry -- such as formaldehyde -- is used in commerce, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority to evaluate potential risks from the use of the chemical and address any unreasonable risks it may present to human health or the environment. EPA has been reviewing and evaluating chemicals for decades and the amended Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) give the Agency additional authority. TSCA provides the framework to assess and evaluate chemical risks that have not been subject to regulation by other statutes. On December 20th, EPA finalized the designation of the next batch of chemical substances for risk evaluation under TSCA . This announcement initiates a TSCA risk evaluation of formaldehyde, but it is important to note that – as EPA has said – designation of a substance as a high priority for evaluation “does not constitute a finding of risk” and should not be cause for concern. Related Resources News Infographics and Fact Sheets Reports and Studies News News & Resources View our resource center to find press releases, testimonies, infographics and more. Jobs Jobs and Economic Impact The business of chemistry provides 544,000 skilled, good-paying American jobs. TSCA Chemical Regulation for the 21st Century The Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act updated TSCA to protect Americans' health and our environment, and supports economic growth and manufacturing in the U.S. Smart Brief Industry Impact Innova...