EPA Says Formaldehyde Poses Health Risks, Must Be Restricted (2)

Formaldehyde, one of the most widely produced chemicals globally, must have its uses restricted because it can harm people’s health in many ways, the EPA said Thursday.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s final formaldehyde risk evaluation concludes workers using or consumers exposed to high concentrations of the chemical for short periods of time or inhaling lesser amounts for longer durations have too great a chance of experiencing a host of problems ranging from eye irritation to asthma, allergies, cancer, and lung damage.

The agency’s conclusion means the EPA must figure out how to regulate the chemical to reduce the many “unreasonable” ...