Formaldehyde is an organic compound with a wide range of applications. Common uses include pharmaceuticals, synthetic fibers, plastic preservatives, and reducing agents. It is also used in the preparation of phenolic, urea-formaldehyde, melamine, and polyoxymethylene resins. In July 2023, EU REACH regulations added formaldehyde as item 77 to the list of hazardous substances in Annex XVII. This will soon apply to furniture, finished wood products, and other non-furniture and finished wood products.
Widespread Application and Sources of Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a high-volume chemical with a wide range of uses. According to statistics from the European Commission, 98% of formaldehyde produced or imported into the EU is used as a reaction intermediate in the production of formaldehyde-based resins, thermoplastics, and other chemicals. These are then used in other industrial applications such as leather products, textiles, adhesives, plywood, paints, electronic and electrical products, and polyurethane coatings.
Release and impact of formaldehyde in products
These products made from formaldehyde derivatives may contain residual formaldehyde that has not been fully reacted or substances that can be degraded into formaldehyde. As a result, during the use of the products, formaldehyde will gradually be released from the products into the surrounding environment in a concentrated diffusion manner, causing formaldehyde to flood people's living environment.
Potential risks of formaldehyde to human health
However, formaldehyde is an organic compound that is irritating to the human eyes, nose, and skin. It has been classified as a chemical substance with carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, skin sensitization, skin corrosion, and acute toxicity in the EU CLP Regulation ((EC) No 1272/2008). Long-term exposure to formaldehyde can cause chronic respiratory diseases, nasopharyngeal cancer, colon cancer, fetal malformations, and miscarriage in pregnant women.
EU REACH regulations and effective date
EU REACH regulation added item 77, formaldehyde, to the list of hazardous substances in Appendix 17 in July 2023, with the following limits:
- Furniture and wooden products: 0.062 mg/Kg
- Other non-furniture and wooden products, such as laptops: 0.08 mg/Kg
The project will take effect gradually after August 6, 2026.
Sources: REGULATION (EU) 2023/1464
