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Formaldehyde Human Health Risk M Ecological Risk Socioeconomic Risk M-L Formaldehyde is a chemical with industrial and commercial applications. Prior to 1980, it was present in urea formaldehyde insulating foam and levels of formaldehyde released from this product were high in some cases. It is also a by-product of combustion that leads to elevated outdoor concentrations. Mobile sources contribute 95% of the current outdoor releases. As a chemical pollutant, formaldehyde is an irritant and is considered a “probable” carcinogen. What’s at risk? There are many individuals sensitive to the allergic effects of formaldehyde and levels inducing irritation are occasionally encountered in indoor environments. The cancer impacts from formaldehyde are the result of longer term chronic exposure that may be present in outdoor air and exposures are possible to the entire New Jersey population. Cancer risks associated with average levels of formaldehyde in New Jersey are about 24 in a million, or about 2.5 additional cancer cases per year. The highest levels are found in Hudson County, where formaldehyde concentrations are four times the statewide median. At these higher exposures, the increased lifetime risk of cancer is about 1 in 10,000. The impacts from indoor exposure can be short term and acute, but the frequency of significant exposures is unknown although they are currently less than those in the period before 1980 when urea-formaldehyde foam was in regular use. The medical costs associated with cancer cases attributable to formaldehyde exposure are expected to be about $250,000. There are no epidemiological studies available to estimate the number of cases of respiratory irritation or illness, but the impacts are unlikely to result in hospitalization. Thus, although formaldehyde exposure may be significant, there is no evidence that socioeconomic impacts (medical costs) are correspondingly so. What’s being done? Indoor exposures have been reduced significantly as the result of the elimination of ureaformaldehyde use as insulating material. However, the use of formaldehyde in other products such as pressed wood furniture is still prevalent and not under current regulatory control. In the outdoor environment, formaldehyde is a byproduct of combustion and subject to the general controls on automobile and stationary sources. 127 Final Report of the New Jersey State Comparative Risk Project STRESSOR SUMMARIES What are the human health impacts in New Jersey? What are the socioeconomic impacts in New Jersey?