As the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carries on with its review of formaldehyde (click here to learn more), NFDA is continuing to represent your interests by submitting comments to the EPA and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) last week. 

As part of its review of formaldehyde, the EPA released an external review draft of the agency’s IRIS (Integrated Risk Information System) Toxicological Review of Formaldehyde (Inhalation) in April 2022. NASEM is responsible for reviewing this report to ensure it is scientifically sound and based on the most current research. Both the EPA and NASEM are seeking comments on this IRIS assessment of formaldehyde. 

NFDA is submitted written comments to the EPA and Senior Vice President, Advocacy Lesley Witter gave testimony during a hearing last week about the IRIS assessment of formaldehyde. In our comments and testimony, we argue that there are several limitations of the IRIS assessment, which may result in inaccurate conclusions about the health risks posed by formaldehyde. We also argue that the EPA failed to give proper consideration to available current research, like NFDA’s formaldehyde exposure study, which was published earlier this year in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (click here to learn more about this study). 

NFDA raised those same concerns about the flaws in the IRIS assessment in comments submitted to NASEM. 

This EPA risk assessment is a multi-phase process that is expected to last until 2025, likely longer. We will keep you informed as we continue to engage in this multi-year formaldehyde risk assessment process on your behalf and that of the profession.

As always, we value your opinions as we continue to engage with the EPA on this important issue. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to share your thoughts and questions during this lengthy process. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact Lesley Witter, Senior Vice President, Advocacy at lwitter@nfda.org.