Last week, EPA published a proposal to amend the findings of the December 2024 formaldehyde final risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The proposal includes modifications that align more closely with the scientific consensus on formaldehyde risks, including:
- Dropping reliance on the formaldehyde Integrated Risk Information System (IRS) assessment released in August 2024
- Limiting exposures of concern to acute inhalation and dermal
- Raising the risk threshold or floor to 0.3 ppm (or 300 ppb, the European Standard).
EPA also proposes eliminating a few conditions of use (COU) for inhalation exposures, noting they no longer pose unreasonable risk. One such COU is the use of adhesives and sealants in wood product manufacturing. If finalized as proposed, the composite panel industry would be excluded from any new inhalation occupational exposure requirements in the anticipated TSCA formaldehyde risk management rule.
CPA plans to prepare supportive comments to share with EPA within the comment period ending February 2, 2026. See Federal Register Notice. More Info: Andy O’Hare