AN UPDATE ON

FORMALDEHYDE

1997 REVISION

U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20207
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 offgas from materials made with it. It is also a naturally occurring substance.

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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 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. 

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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 ureaformaldehyde 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 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 ureaformaldehyde 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 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.

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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 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 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 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.

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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 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. 

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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.

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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 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.

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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.

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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

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