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levels, starting at around 1.9 ppm, has been shown to result in
significant damage to pulmonary function, resulting in reduced
maximum mid-expiratory flow and forced vital capacity. There
is also research that supports the theory that formaldehyde
exposure contributes to reproductive problems in women.
RESIDENTIAL EXPOSURE
In the residential environment, formaldehyde exposure comes
from a number of different routes; formaldehyde can off-gas
from wood products, such as plywood or particle board, but it
is produced by paints, varnishes, floor finishes, and cigarette
smoke as well.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allows no
more than 0.016 ppm formaldehyde in the air in new
buildings constructed for that agency. An EPA study found
that a new home measured 0.076 ppm when brand new and
0.045 ppm after 30 days. The agency recommends the use of
"exterior-grade" pressed-wood products with phenol instead
of urea resin to limit formaldehyde exposure, since pressed-
wood products containing formaldehyde resins are often a
significant source of formaldehyde in homes.
People who suffer allergic reactions to formaldehyde tend to
display lesions on the skin in the areas that have had direct
contact with the substance, such as the neck or thighs (often
due to formaldehyde released from permanent-press
clothing) or dermatitis on the face (typically from cosmetics).
Formaldehyde has been banned in cosmetics in both Sweden
and Japan.
The eyes are most sensitive to formaldehyde exposure: The
lowest level at which many people can begin to smell
formaldehyde is about 0.05 ppm and the highest level is
1 ppm. The maximum concentration value at the workplace is
5
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