From the US EPA: What should I know about Formaldehyde and Indoor Air Quality? Highlights:
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: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-should-i-know-about-formaldehyde-and-indoor-air-quality
April 20, 2022
EPA Draws Link Between Low-Dose Formaldehyde Exposure and Cancer
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, 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
10 Harmful Chemicals to Avoid
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.
Here is the link to the Parents Magazine publication: https://www.parents.com/health/injuries/safety/harmful-chemicals-to-avoid/
NOTE: From the American Cancer Society:
A substance that causes
cancer or helps cancer grow is called a
"Carcinogen".
Identifies Formaldehyde as "Known to be a human carcinogen"
The International Agency for
Research on Cancer (IARC)
Concludes that Formaldehyde is
"Carcinogenic to Humans" based on higher risks of
nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia
The Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA)
Classifies Formaldehyde as "A
Probably Human Carcinogen"
The National Cancer
Institute
Their Researchers Conclude that
exposure to Formaldehyde may cause Leukemia, particularly
Myeloid Leukemia in Humans.
Here is the link to the American Cancer Society's publication: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/formaldehyde.html
Will an organizer made of particle board actually release Formaldehyde Fumes in my Closet?
Quotes
from the California EPA:
"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:
http://www.simplecloset.com/formaldehyde_in_particle_board.htm
or
https://www.arb.ca.gov/toxics/compwood/consumer_faq.pdf
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)
What Is MDF Board? A Hidden Health Hazard in Your Home
7,000 kids in the U.S.(23 to 63 per million population*) under 9 years old are estimated to get cancer due to Particle Board Formaldehyde exposure in their home.
As many as 73,000 adults in the U.S. (86 to 231 per million population*) will get cancer in their lifetime due to Particle Board Formaldehyde exposure.
Carb Compliant Particle Board Phase 1 will only reduce the cancer cases by 12 to 35 cases.
*Based on EPA specifically reporting up to 63 kids per million will get cancer (49 million kids under 9 in USA) and 231 adults per million will also get cancer due to particle board (327 million adult population in USA).
How likely is formaldehyde to cause cancer?
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. Link:
https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/ToxFAQs/ToxFAQsLanding.aspx?id=219&tid=39
Paragraph 6
These are real photos from Particle Board, MDF and Melamine Manufacturing Plants
