EPA has proposed two new rules to help limit exposure to
formaldehyde from composite wood products. The agency identifies pressed wood
products as the most significant sources of formaldehyde found in residential
homes, and the Department of Health and Human Services has determined that
formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen.
The first proposed rule would limit how much formaldehyde
may be released from wood products, including hardwood plywood, medium-density
fiberboard, particleboard and any furniture or other products made containing
such products.
The second rule would require a third-party certification
program to ensure that producers of composite wood panels comply with
formaldehyde emission limits. Those third-party certifiers would be required to
apply to EPA-recognized accreditation bodies to verify their abilities.
Find more information about the proposed rules and formaldehyde
hazards at EPA’s website.
