## Indoor Air

TSCA Assistance Line
For further information on formaldehyde and consumer products, call the EPA Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) Assistance Line (202) 554-1404. 

## Formaldehyde Formaldehyde is an important chemical used widely by ind ustry to manufacture building materials and numerous household products. It is also a by-product of combustion and certain other natural processes. Thus, it may be present in substantial concentratio ns both indoors and outdoors.
Sources of formaldehyde in the home include building ma terials, smoking, household products, and the use of un-vented, fuel-burning appliances, like gas stoves or kerosene space heaters. Formaldehyde, by itself or in combination with other che micals, serves a number of purposes in manufactured products. For example, it is used to add per manent-press qualities to clothing and draperies, as a component of glues and adhesives, and as a preservative in some paints and coating products.
In homes, the most significant sources of formaldehyde are likely to be pressed wood products made using adhesives that contain urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins. Pressed wood products made for indoor use include: particleboard (used as sub-flooring and shelving and in cabinetry and furniture); hardwood plywood paneling (used for decorative wall covering and used in cabinets and furniture); and medium density fiberboard (used fo r drawer fronts, cabinets, and furniture tops). Medium density fiberboard contains a higher resin-to-wood ratiothan any other UF pressed wood product and is generally recognized as being the highest formalde hyde-emitting pressed wood product.
Other pressed wood products, such as softwood plywood and fl ake or oriented strand board, are produced for exterior construction use and contain the dar k, or red/black-colored phenolformaldehyde (PF) resin. Although formaldehyde is presen t in both types of resins, pressed woods that contain PF resin generally emit formaldehyde at considerably lower rates than those containing UF resin.

Contents
Background • Sources of Formaldehyde • Health Effects • Levels in Homes • Steps to Reduce Exposure • Additional Resources • Proposed Rulemaking: Formaldehyde Emissions from Pressed Wood Products • 

### Background
Since 1985, the Department of Housing and Urban Develo pment (HUD) has permitted only the use of plywood and particleboard that conform to specifie d formaldehyde emission limits in the construction of prefabricated and mobile homes. In the p ast, some of these homes had elevated levels of formaldehyde because of the large amount of hi gh-emitting pressed wood products used in their construction and because of their relatively smal l interior space.
The rate at which products like pressed wood or textiles r elease formaldehyde can change. Formaldehyde emissions will generally decrease as products ag e. When the products are new, high indoor temperatures or humidity can cause increased r elease of formaldehyde from these products.
During the 1970s, many homeowners had urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) installed in the wall cavities of their homes as an energy conservation m easure. However, many of these homes were found to have relatively high indoor concentrations of formaldehyde soon after the UFFI installation. Few homes are now being insulated w ith this product. Studies show that formaldehyde emissions from UFFI decline with time; ther efore, homes in which UFFI was installed many years ago are unlikely to have high levels offormaldehyde now. 

### Sources of Formaldehyde
Pressed wood products (hardwood plywood wall paneling, p articleboard, fiberboard) and furniture made with these pressed wood products. Urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI). Combustion sources and environmental tobacco smoke. Durable press drape s, other textiles, and glues. 

### Basic Information on Pollutants and Sources of Indoor Air Pollution

Asbestos • Biological Pollutants • Carbon Monoxide (CO) • Formaldehyde • Lead (Pb) • Nitrogen Dioxide (NO 2 ) • Pesticides • Radon (Rn) • Respirable Particles • Secondhand Smoke/ Environmental Tobacco Smoke • Stoves, Heaters, Fireplaces, and Chimneys • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) •

Proposed Rulemaking Formaldehyde Emissions from Pressed Wood Products EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention will issue rules to implement the 2010 Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act. Read more at www.epa.gov/opptintr/chemtest/...

Read "Care for Your Air: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality" 

# An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Page 1 of 3 Formaldehyde | Indoor Air Quality | US EPA

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### Health Effects
Formaldehyde, a colorless, pungent-smelling gas, can cause watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes and throat, nausea, and difficulty in breathin g in some humans exposed at elevated levels (above 0.1 parts per million). High concentration s may trigger attacks in people with asthma. There is evidence that some people can develop a se nsitivity to formaldehyde. It has also been shown to cause cancer in animals and may cause cancer in humans. Health effects include eye, nose, and throat irritation; wheezing and coughing; fatigue; skin rash; severe allergic reactions. May cause cancer. May also cause other effects listed under "organic gases."
EPA's Integrated Risk Information System profile on Form aldehyde: www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0419.htm •



### Levels in Homes
Average concentrations in older homes without UFFI are g enerally well below 0.1 (ppm). In homes with significant amounts of new pressed wood produ cts, levels can be greater than 0.3 ppm. 

### Steps to Reduce Exposure
Use "exterior-grade" pressed wood products (lower-emitti ng because they contain phenol resins, not urea resins). • Use air conditioning and dehumidifiers to maintain mod erate temperature and reduce humidity levels. • Increase ventilation, particularly after bringing new sou rces of formaldehyde into the home. •

Ask about the formaldehyde content of pressed wood produ cts, including building materials, cabinetry, and furniture before you purchase them.
If you experience adverse reactions to formaldehyde, you may want to avoid the use of pressed wood products and other formaldehyde-emitting go ods. Even if you do not experience such reactions, you may wish to reduce your exposure as much as possible by purchasing exterior-grade products, which emit less formald ehyde.
For further information on formaldehyde and consumer p roducts, call the EPA Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) assistance line(202) 554-1404 •

Some studies suggest that coating pressed wood products wit h polyurethane may reduce formaldehyde emissions for some period of time. To be effective, any such coating must cover all surfaces and edges and remain intact. Increase th e ventilation and carefully follow the manufacturer instructions while applying these coatin gs. (If you are sensitive to formaldehyde, check the label contents before purchasing coating products to avoid buying products that contain formaldehyde, as they will emit the chemical for a short time after application.)
Maintain moderate temperature and humidity levels and provide adequate ventilation.
The rate at which formaldehyde is released is accelerated by heat and may also depend somewhat on the humidity level. Therefore, the use of d ehumidifiers and air conditioning to control humidity and to maintain a moderate temperatu re can help reduce formaldehyde emissions. (Drain and clean dehumidifier collection trays f requently so that they do not become a breeding ground for microorganisms.) Increasing the rate of ventilation in your home will also help in reducing formaldehyde levels.


### Additional Resources
Proposed Rulemaking: Formaldehyde Emissions from Pressed Wood Products
On July 7, 2010, President Obama signed the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act ( PDF , 9 pp., 135 K, about PDF ) into law. This legislation, which adds a Title VI to TSCA, establishes limits for formaldehyde em issions from composite wood products: hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard, a nd particleboard. The national emission standards in the Act mirror standards previously esta blished by the California Air Resources Board for products sold, offered for sale, suppli ed, used or manufactured for sale in California. Congress directs EPA to promulgate final regulations implementing the Act by January 1, 2013. Learn more at www.epa.gov/opptin tr/chemtest/formaldehyde/ .
An Update on Formaldehyde: 1997 Revision (CPSC document #725) 

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9/22/2011 http://www.epa.gov/iaq/formalde.htmlLast updated on Tuesday, February 15, 2011 http://www.epa.gov/iaq/formalde.html This booklet to tell you about formaldehyde found in th e 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 formaldehyde.
HTML | PDF (12 pp., 37 K, ) • CPSC Website • ToxFAQsTM for Formaldehyde (Formaldehido) (June 1999) U.S. Dept. of Health andHuman Services, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSD R) www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts111.html
Safety and Health Topics: Formaldehyde U.S. Dept. of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) www.osha.gov/SLTC/formaldehyde/
American Lung Association www.lungusa.org Search "formaldehyde" for resources

Asthma Mold Radon IAQ Tools for Schools Indoor airPLUS Program IAQ Design Tools for Schools Smoke-free Homes and Cars IAQ Tribal Partners Program Partnership for Clean Indoor Air Carbon Monoxide Floods CIAQ Ice Arenas Air Cleaners www.flu.gov 

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