Formaldehyde Added to Fed's Carcinogen List

The federal government on Friday issued a warning that formaldehyde causes cancer, according to The National Toxicology Program. Government scientists added formaldehyde-which is found in plywood and particleboard-to its list of substances that are known to cause cancer. The report was delayed for years due to lobbying from the chemical industry, which disputes the report's findings.

The National Toxicology Program warns that people are exposed to the highest levels of formaldehyde in work settings. "Frequent and intense exposures in manufacturing plants are far more worrisome than the intermittent contact that most consumers have," writes The New York Times. Contractors and consumers alike can reduce their exposure to formaldehyde by using pressed-wood products labeled U.L.E.F. (ultra-low-emitting formaldehyde), N.A.F. (no added formaldehyde) or C.A.R.B. (California Air Resources Board) Phase 1 or Phase 2 compliant.

Currently there is no proposed legislation to ban formaldehyde, although past studies naming asbestos and lead as carcinogens have led to those products being banned in the United States. Wood dust was listed as a carcinogen in the National Toxicology Program's 2002 report.