Formaldehyde is a gas causing irritation in the eyes and respiratory organs (mainly the nose). Relatively low concentrations in the air can give rise to a pungent, disagreeable smell.
At the beginning of the 1990s, formaldehyde emission from particle board was a large problem, caused by the fact that the glue containing formaldehyde had not fully hardened.
A later problem has arisen in imported plywood, containing too high concentrations of formaldehyde. In February 2007, a consignment of Chinese plywood for indoor use showed higher formaldehyde emission than the limit value prescribed by the Swedish Chemicals Agency (KemI). The importer withdrew the consignment from the retailers.
Formaldehyde in the indoor environment
A common example of risk of formaldehyde emission to the indoor environment is caused by emission from different kinds of building material.
The concentration of formaldehyde in a room is dependent on several factors such as temperature, relative atmospheric humidity, ventilation and other formaldehyde sources, for example furniture and cigarette smoke. The amount of formaldehyde that is released from plywood decreases in course of time. It is therefore difficult to make a general statement on the concentration of formaldehyde that a room might have.
Formaldehyde and risk of cancer
Judging from animal studies, formaldehyde is a suspected carcinogen. The substance has caused tumours in the nose of tested animals, after a life-long exposure to very high doses. Investigations also exist indicating increased risk of cancer in humans exposed to formaldehyde in the working environment, during a long time and in very high concentrations.
Current knowledge of the carcinogenic properties of formaldehyde strongly indicates that the substance implies a risk of cancer to human beings and animals if the inhalable air concentration is very high during a large part of an individual's lifetime. At the same time, such a high concentration gives rise to heavy irritation and damage of the mucous membrane in, for example, the nose. Occurrence of chronic, prolonged damage of the mucous membrane is considered to be a necessary requirement for cancer development. It can thus be presumed that there is a threshold concentration for the development of cancer and that the risk of cancer is negligible below the levels giving rise to damage of the mucous membrane.
The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency in co-operation with a number of other bodies has published a report in Swedish on formaldehyd - a compilation of knowledge and risk assessment. Formaldehyd – en kunskapssammanställning och riskbedömning, Naturvårdsverket rapport 5399/2004 in EPA:s bookstore.
Provisions on formaldehyde
Swedish provisions on formaldehyde in wood-based boards are contained in the Restricted Substances Database.
The regulations do not fully implement Council Directive 89/106/EEC on construction Products, which provide EU Member states with a common language, i.e. the same terms are used in the EU, for example E1 and E2 for formaldehyde emission.
Council Directive 89/106/EEG on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to construction products.
Contact:
Lena Hellmér, scientific issues, e-mail: lena.hellmer
Karin Rumar, inspector, e-mail: karin.rumar
Eva Nilsson, legal issues, e-mail: eva.nilsson
