Download Formaldehyde

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.
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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?