EPA’s formaldehyde proposal sparks debate over worker safety and industry influence
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed changes to its formaldehyde risk assessment. The move follows years of pressure from chemical manufacturers but keeps the existing warning about the substance’s dangers.
Nancy Beck, the EPA’s Deputy Assistant Administrator for Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, oversees the review. The proposal marks a shift in how the agency evaluates exposure risks for workers and the public.
In earlier assessments, the EPA concluded that formaldehyde poses 'unreasonable risks' to human health. This determination remains unchanged under the new proposal. However, the updated approach would rely on industry-backed safety standards instead of the agency’s own cancer risk values.
The change could exclude many workers from protection measures. Critics argue that the revised method overlooks a significant portion of those regularly exposed to the chemical.
Chemical manufacturers have long pushed for such adjustments. If finalised, the proposal would represent a victory for the industry in its ongoing dispute with regulators over formaldehyde use.
The EPA’s new plan keeps formaldehyde classified as a high-risk substance. Yet, by adopting industry-supported benchmarks, it may reduce safeguards for exposed workers. The final decision will determine how strictly the chemical is regulated in workplaces moving forward.
