New Rules Regarding Formaldehyde Proposed by the EPA

CHATSWORTH, Calif. - June 10, 2013 - PRLog -- Last month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed two rules to help protect Americans from exposure to formaldehyde.  These proposed rules are meant to ensure that composite wood products produced domestically or imported into the United States meet the formaldehyde emission standards established by Congress.

“The proposed regulations announced today reflect EPA’s continued efforts to protect the public from exposure to harmful chemicals in their daily lives,” said James J. Jones, EPA’s acting assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “Once final, the rules will reduce the public’s exposure to this harmful chemical found in many products in our homes and workplaces."

The first proposed new rule would limit how much formaldehyde may be emitted from hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard, particleboard and finished goods, that are sold, supplied, offered for sale, manufactured, or imported in the United States.  The second rule would establish a third-party certification framework designed to ensure that manufacturers of composite wood products meet the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) formaldehyde emission standards by having their composite wood products certified though an accredited third-party certifier.

The month before, the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Resources Board (ARB) posted a new online document about reducing formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products and health effects due to exposure.   It stated, “Health effects can include nose and throat irritation, a burning sensation of the eyes, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, and can trigger asthma symptoms in those with asthma. Sensitive individuals may experience fatigue, headache, and nausea. Formaldehyde is also a known human carcinogen.”

One company that has been on the forefront of protecting people at work and in their homes from exposure to elevated levels of formaldehyde is Clark Seif Clark. “A number of building materials, furnishing, consumer products and workplace activities can expose people to elevated levels of formaldehyde,” reported Franco Seif, President of Clark Seif Clark (CSC), a leading indoor environmental quality consulting firm.  “CSC provides testing and consulting services to identify and resolve cases of formaldehyde exposure.”  

To learn more about testing for formaldehyde or other indoor environmental concerns, please visit Clark Seif Clark at http://www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118.  

About Clark Seif Clark
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address environmental, IAQ, and health and safety (EH&S) issues.  CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.