The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made significant strides in assessing the health risks associated with formaldehyde, culminating in the recent release of the IRIS Toxicological Review of Formaldehyde (Inhalation). This important assessment addresses the potential cancer and non-cancer health effects that arise from inhalation exposure to this widely used chemical.
In August 2024, the EPA finalized the IRIS Toxicological Review and published the interagency comments on the discussion draft. This release updated key IRIS values for formaldehyde, providing a clearer framework for informing decisions aimed at protecting public health.
The procedure started in March 2021 when the EPA updated its list of priority assessments and unsuspended the IRIS Toxicological Review of Formaldehyde. This marked the start of a rigorous process, which included an interagency science consultation initiated in December 2021. By April 2022, the draft Toxicological Review was made available for public comment and underwent external peer review by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). This review was crucial in shaping the assessment and ensuring a comprehensive evaluation.
In June 2024, following these collaborative efforts, the EPA submitted a revised interagency science discussion draft for final review. The importance of this process was further emphasized in August 2023, when NASEM released its consensus study report, providing additional recommendations to the EPA regarding the 2022 draft formaldehyde assessment.
Formaldehyde is prevalent in various products, including plywood adhesives, household furnishings, and building materials, significantly contributing to indoor air pollution. The findings from the IRIS review clearly establish the health risks associated with formaldehyde exposure. Given this clarity, there is an urgent need to substitute this substance wherever possible to protect public health.
As we move forward, industries and consumers must consider safer alternatives to formaldehyde to mitigate health risks and foster a healthier environment.
https://iris.epa.gov/document/&deid=361799