Protecting Building Occupants and Workers from Formaldehyde Exposure

In 1987, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classified formaldehyde as a probable human carcinogen. In 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) determined that formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen based on human and animal inhalation studies. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has also classified formaldehyde as a human carcinogen.

Formaldehyde is a volatile organic compound (VOC), and as a gas, is colorless with a strong odor. It has been widely used by industry to manufacture building materials and various products for decades. Its primary use is in the production of resins and as a chemical intermediate. Formaldehyde is also a by-product of combustion and certain other natural processes.

Some of the common symptoms of exposure include breathing problems and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, or skin. For some asthmatics, exposure to elevated concentrations may trigger an asthma attack.

To help protect workers from exposure to formaldehyde, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL).

“There are numerous potential sources of formaldehyde in a typical indoor environment,” said Frank Selamie, President of CTSI. “One of the most significant sources of formaldehyde in many buildings comes from the off-gassing of pressed wood products made using adhesives that contain urea-formaldehyde resins. It can also be released from some types of insulation.”

To protect building occupants and workers, and to help businesses that utilize formaldehyde and formaldehyde-containing materials maintain compliance with occupational health and safety regulations, the industrial hygiene and IAQ professionals at CTSI offer their expertise. CTSI provides testing, monitoring, training, and consulting services to identify and mitigate exposure risks to formaldehyde, and other chemical and microbial exposure risks.

To learn more about CTSI and their indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental, health, and safety services, please visit www.ctsiweb.com, email contactus@ctsiweb.com , or call (212) 971-7016.

About CTSI
Established in 1992, Consulting & Testing Services, Inc. (CTSI) was founded on one strong commitment: to provide efficient and expert services to clients based on professionalism, innovation, and cost-effective expert solutions. This commitment has been furthered with CTSI’s reputation in fostering client relationships in all sectors of the Environmental, Health, Safety, and Construction industries. CTSI prides itself in utilizing a high quality service based on its diverse team of staff and professionals’ concise recommendations and solutions to the most pressing dilemmas. The company operates offices in New York and Florida that service clients across the United States.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail