Government Agency Changes Formaldehyde’s Hazardous Classification

Cinnaminson, NJ, August 7th, 2012
 
Last month, Safe Work Australia changed the agency’s hazardous substance entry for formaldehyde.  According to the agency’s website, “Based on the NICNAS (National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme) Priority Existing Chemical Assessment Report for formaldehyde, Safe Work Australia has updated the entry in HSIS for formaldehyde to reflect recommended changes in classification. The update includes a change to the carcinogen classification from category 3 (limited evidence of a carcinogenic effect) to category 2 (may cause cancer by inhalation) ....”
 
This change in classification follows updates to formaldehyde’s listing by other world agencies including the United States’ National Toxicology Program, an interagency program of the Department of Health and Human Services, which named formaldehyde as a known human carcinogen in its 12th Report on Carcinogens.  The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has also classified formaldehyde as a human carcinogen.
 
Formaldehyde has come under increased public scrutiny in recent years and is commonly found in the indoor environment due to its use in construction materials, building furnishings and some consumer products.  Formaldehyde can cause both short and long term health concerns.
 
One of the leading environmental and indoor air quality (IAQ) laboratories in North America has been on the front lines in helping government agencies, manufacturers, distributors and the public test for formaldehyde in products and indoor environments.     “At EMSL Analytical, we have a network of testing laboratories across the U.S. and Canada that can test for off-gassing of materials and analyze indoor air quality samples for this potentially harmful indoor pollutant,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical.   
 
EMSL has sponsored a video about the hazards associated with formaldehyde in the indoor environment.  It can be seen at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yD4pTC8GVpE
 
For information about testing for formaldehyde or other indoor air quality testing
services, please visit www.EMSL.com, email info@EMSL.com or call (800) 220-3675.
 
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of quality environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies. 

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical

(1) 1-800-220-3675

jfrasca@emsl.com