Formaldehyde can be emitted from various building materials including laminate flooring. Elevated airborne concentrations can cause a variety of health effects like eye, skin, upper respiratory tract irritation, and sensitization. EPA and IARC considers formaldehyde in air a suspect human carcinogen to the upper respiratory tract. OSHA has a health standard to evaluate occupational exposure as well as provide controls to reduce the risk of the carcinogenic potential while at work. Air testing is the only way to determine your exposure. Using Board Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIHs) can provide the answer and peace of mind. On the other hand, our CIHs have the knowledge and experience to defend claims by providing litigation support and expert witness testimony where residents may be at risk from elevated exposures.

3. PPT-058-01 22
o Used as a preservative
o In residential conditions
it can off-gas from wood
products or other items
containing formaldehyde
o Such releases may occur
from:
o Paints
o Varnishes
o Smoking

4. PPT-058-01 23
Insulation:
o Urea-formaldehyde foamed-in
insulation (UFFI) in homes
o Levels as low as 0.046 ppm
were correlated with eye and
nasal irritation levels around
1.9 ppm produced significant
pulmonary function damage

5. PPT-058-01
Exposure depends on:
o Potency of emitting
materials
o Surface area to air volume
ratio
o Environmental factors, like
humidity and temperature
o Age of emitting product
o Ventilation available or
lacking of circulation

6. PPT-058-01
• Concentrations between 0.05 ppm and 0.5 ppm
produce a sensation of irritation to eyes with
burning, itching, redness and tearing
• Skin contact can cause irritation of the skin and
allergic contact dermatitis
• These disorders can occur at levels well below
those encountered by most formaldehyde workers
Excerpted from a March 25, 1998 OSHA Interpretation Letter to Mr. Ryan Hopper from Mr. John
B. Miles, Jr., Director, Directorate of Compliance Programs concerning regulations affecting
embalming using formaldehyde

7. PPT-058-01
The odor threshold for most people is around
0.05 ppm with highest level at 1 ppm depending
on individual sensitivity
Maximum workplace concentration is 0.3 ppm as
ceiling exposure
PPM – Parts per Million Health Effect
0.5 Begin to sense eye irritation
0.5 – 1 5%-20% report eye irritation
1 and above Greater sensory irritation

8. PPT-058-01
Exposure monitoring is needed
to properly evaluate the ambient
exposure in air.
Air samples are collected over a
period of time to adequately
measure the air concentration
Samples are collected by a
ABIH Board Certified Industrial
Hygienist (CIH) using validated
air sampling methods

9. Impinger
sampling method
Passive monitors
Direct reading
gas monitor

10. o Epidemiological studies on the effects of
chronic formaldehyde exposure consistently
found respiratory and allergic effects at levels
below 123µg/m3 (Health Canada,2005)
o No effects were found in children exposed to
10 to 49µg/m3 formaldehyde
o Non-significant increase of risk was observed
at 50 to 59µg/m3, and
o Significantly increased risk was observed at
concentrations exceeding 60µg/m3 (Rumchev,
et. al.,2002)

11. Inhalation studies of formaldehyde with animal
models have shown histopathological effects such
as:
o Hyperplasia,
o Squamous metaplasia,
o Inflammation, erosion, ulceration, and
disarrangements in the nasal cavity at airborne
concentrations of 3.7 mg/m3and above (NOAEL
1.2 mg/m3).
These histopathological effects appear to be a
function of the formaldehyde concentration in
inhaled air rather than of the cumulative dose.

12. Residential Indoor Air Quality Guidelines for
Formaldehydes
Exposure Concentration
µg/m3
Concentration
ppb
Critical effect
1 hour 123 100 Eye irritation
8 hours 50 40 Respiratory
symptoms in children
A one-hour exposure limit is established at 123µg/m3(100 ppb), which represents 1/5 of the no
observable adverse effects level and 1/10 of the lowest observable adverse effects level found
for eye irritation in the Kulle (1993)
A 8-hour exposure limit is established at 50µg/m3(40 ppb), i.e., a the lower end of the exposure
category associated with no significant increase of asthma hospitalization in the Rumchev, et
al., (2002)

13. Residential Indoor Air Quality Services
o Conduct indoor air quality monitoring based
on strategically designed sampling plan
o Collect air samples using a validated method
o Analyze samples by accredited laboratory
o Corroborate data with scientific evidence
o Consult with stakeholders regarding methods
of remediation
o Provide litigation support and testimony
o Post-remediation verification testing and
analysis