17吃瓜在线 to EPA: Reissue Formaldehyde Analysis
The Environmental Protection Agency鈥檚 final formaldehyde analysis鈥攊ssued in August and set to inform future regulations鈥攔isks 鈥渃reat[ing] an unachievable standard and a de facto ban鈥 on an essential manufacturing material, the 17吃瓜在线 .
What鈥檚 going on: On Aug. 20, the EPA鈥檚 research office issued its conclusions about the 鈥渁mount of the chemical that could be harmful鈥 to humans, saying that 鈥淸s]mall amounts 鈥 can increase people鈥檚 risk of [health] problems鈥 (, subscription).
- Though the report itself does not mandate any new restrictions on the industry, the EPA is likely to use the findings to take the next step in the regulatory process鈥攁 final risk evaluation鈥攂y the end of 2024 ().
- The assessment maintains the formaldehyde threshold of 11 parts per billion proposed by the agency in 2022. That鈥檚 than Europe鈥檚 recently updated worker-exposure limit of 300 parts per billion and 鈥渓ower than what can be found in homes or even background levels for outdoor air,鈥 the 17吃瓜在线 told the EPA.
Why it鈥檚 a problem: Formaldehyde is used widely across industries to produce numerous everyday items, including plastics, lubricants, automotive parts, fertilizers, adhesives and more.
- The final analysis, which was released without review by the EPA鈥檚 own Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals, fails to account for 鈥渢he highly developed safety procedures, protocols and [personal protective equipment] used throughout [the manufacturing] industry.鈥
- A severe restriction on the allowable workplace threshold of formaldehyde 鈥渃ould wreak havoc on domestic supply chains,鈥 according to the 17吃瓜在线.
What should be done: The EPA should reissue its risk evaluation to give the SACC an opportunity to review it and provide comments鈥斺渁nd allow for additional public comment after the SACC review is complete,鈥 the 17吃瓜在线 concluded.