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The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
begun the process of getting formaldehyde classified as a known human
carcinogen. Formaldehyde's current
classification as a "probable human carcinogen" has been in place since 1987.
The EPA's current review of the compound is the first since 1998.
The first review of the EPA's draft assessment was recently
reviewed by the National Academies of Science's National Research Council
(NRC). The assessment confirmed that formaldehyde can lead to cancer of the
nose, nasal cavity, and throat.
This news has not been well-received by industry players who
have rallied Congress to slow the reclassification process to a near halt.
Since formaldehyde is used in a wide array of industrial and consumer products,
this would require a major overall by manufacturers.
International chemical research firm, ICIS, estimates that nearly
two-thirds of the market for the compound is for resins used to make
construction materials. It is also commonly found in plastics, foams,
adhesives, and sealants that are used in electronics, automotive, and consumer
goods.
Where do you stand on the reclassification of formaldehyde
as a known carcinogen?
Source: Environmental
Working Group
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Re: EPA Links Formaldehyde & Cancer
