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Assessing and Managing Chemicals under TSCA
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Risk Evaluation for Formaldehyde

General Information for Formaldehyde

Chemical Group: N/A

CASRN: 50-00-0

Risk Evaluation Initiated: December 2019

Docket: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0438

Staff Contact: Todd Coleman
Coleman.todd@epa.gov
(202) 564-1208

EPA designated formaldehyde as a High-Priority Substance in December 2019 and the chemical is currently undergoing risk evaluation.

Find other information about other chemicals undergoing risk evaluations under TSCA. 

On this page:

  • Background on formaldehyde
  • Conditions of use of formaldehyde
  • Recent activities and opportunities for public comment

On another page:

  • 40 CFR Part 770 - Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products

Background on Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas at room temperature and has a strong odor. Information from the 2016 Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) for formaldehyde indicates that the reported production volume is between 1 billion and 5 billion lbs/year (manufacture and import).

Conditions of Use of Formaldehyde

In the final scope, EPA identified conditions of use associated with the importing; processing; distribution in commerce; industrial, commercial and consumer uses; and disposal of formaldehyde, for example:

  • Adhesive and sealants;
  • Pesticides and agricultural chemicals;
  • Lawn and garden products;
  • Personal care products;
  • Plastic materials;
  • Resins, glues, and binders;
  • Paper manufacturing;
  • Various petrochemical processes and products;
  • Wood product manufacturing; and
  • Textiles, apparel, and leather.

The above listed conditions of use are ways that a person or the environment could be potentially exposed to this chemical. However, when conducting a risk evaluation, EPA also considers the hazards (i.e. health effects or environmental impacts) that could occur from coming in contact with a chemical.

Recent Activities and Opportunities for Public Comment

In August 2020, EPA published a final scope document outlining the hazards, exposures, conditions of use, and the potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulations the agency expects to consider in its risk evaluation. The agency released the draft scope in April 2020 and took public comments on the draft document.

  • Read the final scope of the risk evaluation for this chemical and EPA’s response to comments on the draft scope.
  • View the docket for this chemical, EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0438 on www.regulations.gov.

As EPA continues to move through the risk evaluation process there will be additional opportunities for public comment, including a public comment period on the draft risk evaluation. In addition to public comment periods, EPA will continue to engage with stakeholders as it refines the risk evaluation and stakeholders should reach out to EPA via the staff contact to engage with the agency.

  • Assessing and Managing Chemicals under TSCA Home
    • How EPA Evaluates the Safety of Existing Chemicals
    • Prioritizing Existing Chemicals for Risk Evaluation
    • Risk Evaluations for Existing Chemicals
    • Risk Management for Existing Chemicals
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Last updated on October 19, 2021