EPA Declares Formaldehyde a Risky Substance That Could Face Additional Regs
The EPA has determined that formaldehyde is a chemical substance that "presents an unreasonable risk of injury to human health" and, as such, warrants risk management actions that companies will have to abide by, including importers, it said in a notice.
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The agency made this determination after conducting its final risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances and Control Act.
"Consistent with the statutory requirements of TSCA section 6(a), EPA will propose risk management regulatory actions to the extent necessary so that formaldehyde no longer presents an unreasonable risk under the conditions of use," EPA said. "The Agency expects to focus its risk management action on the TSCA conditions of use that significantly contribute to the unreasonable risk."
The EPA also has the capability to potentially regulate activities related to the manufacture, import, distribution, commercial use and disposal of formaldehyde, the agency said.
The agency described formaldehyde as a colorless, flammable gas at room temperature. Industries combine and use formaldehyde with other chemical substances to make structures used in manufacturing more resilient, although the gas may also be released into the air from industrial and commercial operations when produced or used to make many products or articles, including composite wood products and other building materials, plastics, pesticides, paints, adhesives and sealants.
In evaluating the risks, the EPA looked at the known and reasonably foreseen circumstances under which the chemical is manufactured, processed, distributed in commerce, used or disposed of. It didn't evaluate risk from sources of formaldehyde exposure excluded from TSCA jurisdiction, the agency said.