Considered to be a probable human carcinogen through inhalation, formaldehyde for several years has been the subject of a risk assessment being conducted by EPA, as well as a candidate for development of emissions standards under the Clean Air Act. Formaldehyde is used in manufacturing of building materials, and the offgassing from new building materials is a source of formaldehyde exposure in indoor air for potentially millions of people.
There have been several signal events related to formaldehyde which have occurred within the past few years. Temporary housing units used by FEMA to house people rendered homeless from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were found to have concentrations of formaldehyde in air at levels that were sufficiently high that public health officials were concerned about potential health risks to the occupants. Recently published epidemiological studies of workers indicate that exposed to formaldehyde is associated with an increased incidence of leukemia (formaldehyde is already thought to be associated with an increased risk of nasal cancers in workers). Senator David Vitter has held up nomination of a key EPA deputy administrator over the formaldehyde risk assessment, insisting that the risk assessment undergo review by the National Academy of Sciences, a step that would delay any regulation of formaldehyde emissions by a few years. Finally, the California Air Resources Board finalized air toxics control measures for the manufacturing of some building materials containing formaldehyde.
Beyond the fact that formaldehyde has been recognized as a human cancer risk and a widespread indoor air contaminant for over two decades, an argument can be made that the existing regulatory frameworks will not produce real reductions in formaldehyde exposure for many years. It is not simply a matter that more information is needed to make a decision. Collecting and analyzing more information can in certain cases create more opportunities to create doubt and distraction. The problem then is defining the kinds of information, messaging and framework that would mobilize enough power to effect changes; in this case, reengineering the manufacturing of building materials to “green” the formaldehyde out of them.
This involves either molding the views of decision makers or creating an enormous groundswell of public opinion. . . . [To be continued]