A final toxicological review by EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program finds that formaldehyde is carcinogenic to humans through the inhalation route of exposure. The report, released in August 2024, concludes that formaldehyde inhalation can cause several upper respiratory tract cancers and myeloid leukemia, and establishes a reference concentration (RfC) for formaldehyde of 7 µg/m3 (~0.006 ppm). EPA defines the RfC as “the level of continuous inhalation exposure to the human population (including sensitive subgroups) that is likely to be without appreciable risk of deleterious effects during a lifetime.”
The report, released in August 2024, concludes that formaldehyde inhalation can cause several upper respiratory tract cancers and myeloid leukemia
In occupational settings, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permissible exposure limit (PEL) for formaldehyde is 0.75 parts per million (ppm) over an 8-hour workday. The short-term exposure limit (STEL) is 2 ppm for a 15-minute period.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer and the U.S. National Toxicology Program also classify formaldehyde as a human carcinogen.
Noncancer health effects of formaldehyde exposure include increased sensory irritation and respiratory tract pathology. It is also likely that formaldehyde inhalation causes decreased pulmonary function, increased symptoms of asthma, increased allergic responses, reproductive toxicity in both females and males, and developmental toxicity in females, the report states. Formaldehyde is also a skin irritant and potential sensitizing agent.
It is also likely that formaldehyde inhalation causes decreased pulmonary function, increased symptoms of asthma, increased allergic responses, reproductive toxicity in both females and males, and developmental toxicity in females, the report states.
Where is Formaldehyde Commonly Used?
Formaldehyde is present in a variety of products including:
- Plywood adhesives
- Abrasive materials
- Insulation
- Pesticides
- Embalming fluids
Major sources of anthropogenic emissions include:
- Household furnishings
- Building materials
- Motor vehicle exhaust
- Manufacturing plants that produce or use formaldehyde or substances that contain it (e.g., glues), and tobacco smoke
What To Do Now?
If you are concerned about formaldehyde being used in your workplace, contact an EHS professional immediately. EHS professionals, such as Cardinal Compliance Consultants can help you identify and control formaldehyde and other harmful chemicals.
Additional Resources
To view the full IRIS toxicological review of formaldehyde from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), click here, or to see the Formaldehyde standard from OSHA, click here.