The danger of formaldehyde has been upgraded by a World Health Organisation panel, which has declared the chemical “carcinogenic to humans”.
The warning from the International Agency for Research on Cancer follows its assessment of the latest research and evidence on formaldehyde, which is used in a variety of timber products.
It said there was now sufficient evidence that the chemical causes nasopharyngeal cancer (affecting the back of the nose and mouth) and might also cause leukaemia.
The panel’s assessment contrasts with the US view on the chemical. Earlier this year the Enviromental Protection Agency approved an industry-backed rule aimed at sparing timber production facilities from strict emission controls.
