In homes, the most significant sources of formaldehyde are likely to be pressed wood products made using adhesives that contain urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins. Medium density fiberboard contains a higher resin-to-wood ratio than any other UF pressed wood product and is generally recognized as being the highest formaldehyde-emitting pressed wood product.
In homes with significant amounts of new pressed wood products, levels can be three times the amount of older homes.
Direct link: EPA.gov Formaldehyde & Indoor Air Quality
April 20, 2022
April 14, 2022, U.S. EPA announces it will officially designate that Formaldehyde causes cancer, even in low doses over long periods of time. EPA’s 2018 National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA) data shows formaldehyde is one of the three air pollutants responsible for over 90 percent of the cancer risk related to air pollution in over a hundred census tracts.
January 4, 2022
Here's a look at some of the most dangerous chemicals lurking in your home -- and how you can reduce your child's exposure to them.
Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen (it has been linked to nasal squamous cell cancer). How to avoid? Avoid any furniture made of pressboard or MDF.
NOTE: A substance that causes cancer or helps cancer grow is called a "Carcinogen".
“For products that are made with formaldehyde-based resins or adhesives, rapid off-gassing of formaldehyde occurs initially when the product is made, and over time the formaldehyde emissions decrease.”
“An increase in temperature and humidity can increase formaldehyde emissions.”
“You may also leave your new product(s) in the garage for a few days to let it off-gas before bringing it inside.”
Source: simplecloset.com or CA ARB Consumer FAQ
Some of the major sources of formaldehyde indoors are the off-gassing of urea formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) and particle board. (See page 8 of this report)
California's EPA report on Particle Board (PB) dated April 26, 2007 confirms:
"Childhood risk (9 years): 23-63 cancer cases per million" "Lifetime risk (70 years): 86-231 cancer cases per million"
CARB Compliant Particle Board Phase 1 will only reduce the cancer cases by 12 to 35 cases.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) determined in 2011 that formaldehyde is a known cause of cancer based on sufficient human and animal inhalation studies.
These are real photos from Particle Board, MDF and Melamine Manufacturing Plants
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