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Formaldehyde – A Dangerous Chemical
By Author: Robert E. Sheriff, CIH, CSP
President
It’s amazing all the places that formaldehyde is found.
It’s best known uses are in insulating material and particleboard.
The most publicized use has been in manufactured homes
and mobile homes. FEMA has been overwhelmed with actions
related to exposure to formaldehyde in temporary housing
for Hurricane Katrina survivors, and other disasters.
There are both short term and long term exposure problems
from formaldehyde. The primary problem is inhalation of
the chemical but it is also known to cause skin irritation
and allergic reactions. EPA has listed formaldehyde as
a suspect human carcinogen (cancer causing substance).
Animal studies have shown an increase in nasal cell cancer
and some limited human studies have shown an increased
incidence of nasal and lung cancers.
In addition to insulation and particleboard, formaldehyde
is found in many, many other locations. This includes
cosmetics (major cosmetic suppliers even advertise “formaldehyde
free” cosmetics), permanent press resins in clothing and
draperies, glues, adhesives, paint preservatives, tobacco
smoke, photo development chemicals, tissue preservative
(medical school cadavers and preserved specimens), disinfectants
and agricultural products.
Several agencies worldwide have established recommended
safe levels of formaldehyde which vary significantly depending
on the group exposed (workers or general public) and their
ability to change the acceptable levels as new knowledge
becomes available.
The following is a listing of the various agencies and
their recommended levels:
Highest to Lowest:
| Description |
Agency |
Concentration(ppm) |
Exposure Duration |
Audience |
| PEL-STEL |
OSHA |
2 ppm |
15 Minutes |
Workers |
| PEL |
OSHA |
0.75 ppm |
8 Hours |
Workers |
| TLV |
ACGIH |
0.3 ppm |
8 Hours |
Workers |
| Ceiling |
NIOSH |
0.1 ppm |
15 Minutes |
Workers |
| ELGV |
Health Canada |
0.1 ppm |
1 Hour |
Residential |
| AQGV |
WHO |
0.08 ppm |
30 Minutes |
Public |
| ACUTE REL |
CA. EPA |
0.076 ppm |
1 Hour |
Public |
| ELGV |
Health Canada |
0.04 ppm |
8 Hours |
Residential |
| ACUTE MRL |
ATSDR |
0.04 ppm |
0-14 Days |
Public |
| INTERMED MRL |
ATSDR |
0.03 ppm |
14 Days-1 Year |
Public |
| INTERMED REL |
CA. EPA |
0.027 ppm |
8 Hours |
Public |
| TWA-REL |
NIOSH |
0.016 ppm |
8 Hours |
Worker |
| Chronic MRL |
ATSDR |
0.008 ppm |
1 Year or More |
Public |
| Chronic REL |
CA. EPA |
0.0024 ppm |
Continual |
Public |
The testing is not difficult, but interpreting the
results requires considerable expertise. If you need assistance,
call Bob Sheriff, President at 800-344-4414 or e-mail
at info@atlenv.com.
Atlantic Environmental Inc
2 East Blackwell Street
Dover, NJ 07801
(800) 344-4414
(973) 366-4660
(973) 366-3116 Fax
info@atlenv.com
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