EPA determines formaldehyde causes cancer, in step toward regulation

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that breathing in formaldehyde, a chemical that’s used in building materials and hair straighteners, can cause cancer. 

In a toxicological review issued this week, the EPA said the substance causes sinus and nasal cancer as well as myeloid leukemia. 

While the finding itself does not impose new restrictions on the substance’s use, the determination is expected to inform future regulations. 

The agency plans to take the next step in the regulatory process, which is called a final risk evaluation, by the end of the year, a spokesperson said. This still does not actually regulate the substance, but it would represent another step in that direction.

“In light of this assessment, there is no excuse for further delay. EPA needs to promptly finalize the formaldehyde risk evaluation and move on to risk management,” said Jonathan Kalmuss-Katz, a supervising senior attorney at Earthjustice. 

If the agency ultimately does decide to restrict or ban formaldehyde, it could do so for the substance’s uses including wood products and adhesives. 

Formaldehyde’s use in hair straightening products is covered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has separately proposed to ban the substance’s use in these products. 

Kalmuss-Katz said that while the FDA process is separate, the EPA’s finding can bolster the other agency’s effort. 

The chemical industry criticized the EPA’s finding.

The American Chemistry Council industry group released a statement from its formaldehyde panel saying that the EPA’s assessment “fails to reflect fundamental criticism” and said that banning the substance would have “an overwhelmingly negative impact on the environment, human health, national security, and the economy.”