Dangers of Particle Board

From the US EPA: What should I know about Formaldehyde and Indoor Air Quality? Highlights:

In homes, the most significant sources of formaldehyde are likely to be pressed wood products made using adhesives that contain urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins.... Medium density fiberboard contains a higher resin-to-wood ratio than any other UF pressed wood product and is generally recognized as being the highest formaldehyde-emitting pressed wood product....

...In homes with significant amounts of new pressed wood products, levels can be three times the amount of older homes.

Direct link: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-should-i-know-about-formaldehyde-and-indoor-air-quality

April 20, 2022

EPA Draws Link Between Low-Dose Formaldehyde Exposure and Cancer

April 14, 2022, U.S. EPA announces it will officially designate that Formaldehyde causes cancer, even in low doses over long periods of time....
...EPA’s 2018 National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA) data, formaldehyde is one of the three air pollutants responsible for over 90 percent of the cancer risk related to air pollution in over a hundred census tracts...

https://www.natlawreview.com/article/epa-draws-link-between-low-dose-formaldehyde-exposure-and-cancer

January 4, 2022

Exposure to formaldehyde is linked to cognitive problems

https://airqualitynews.com/2022/01/04/exposure-to-formaldehyde-is-linked-to-cognitive-problems/

From Parents Magazine:
10 Harmful Chemicals to Avoid
Here's a look at some of the most dangerous chemicals lurking in your home -- and how you can reduce your child's exposure to them.

Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen (it has been linked to nasal squamous cell cancer)
How to avoid? Avoid any furniture made of pressboard or MDF.

Here is the link to the Parents Magazine publication: https://www.parents.com/health/injuries/safety/harmful-chemicals-to-avoid/

NOTE: From the American Cancer Society:
A substance that causes cancer or helps cancer grow is called a "Carcinogen".

The National Toxicology Program (NTP)
Identifies Formaldehyde as "Known to be a human carcinogen"

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
Concludes that Formaldehyde is "Carcinogenic to Humans" based on higher risks of nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Classifies Formaldehyde as "A Probably Human Carcinogen"

The National Cancer Institute
Their Researchers Conclude that exposure to Formaldehyde may cause Leukemia, particularly Myeloid Leukemia in Humans.

Here is the link to the American Cancer Society's publication: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/formaldehyde.html

Will an organizer made of particle board actually release Formaldehyde Fumes in my Closet?

Quotes from the California EPA:
"For products that are made with formaldehyde based resins or adhesives, rapid off-gassing of formaldehyde occurs initially when the product is made, and over time the formaldehyde emissions decrease."
"An increase in temperature and humidity can increase formaldehyde emissions."
"You may also leave your new product(s) in the garage for a few days to let it off-gas before bringing it inside."
Source: http://www.simplecloset.com/formaldehyde_in_particle_board.htm or https://www.arb.ca.gov/toxics/compwood/consumer_faq.pdf

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/katrina-rita-victims-get-426m-in-toxic-fema-trailer-suit/

Some of the major sources of formaldehyde indoors are the off-gassing of urea formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) and particle board. (See page 8 of this report)

https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/formaldehyde/pdfs/revised_formaldehyde_report_1007.pdf

What Is MDF Board? A Hidden Health Hazard in Your Home

https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/what-is-mdf-furniture/

https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2008/06/fema-j09.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/02/AR2008070202800.html

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trailers/pressed-wood-released-formaldehyde-in-trailers-cdc-idUSN0236765420080702

California's EPA report on Particle Board (PB) dated April 26, 2007 confirms:
7,000 kids in the U.S.(23 to 63 per million population*) under 9 years old are estimated to get cancer due to Particle Board Formaldehyde exposure in their home.
As many as 73,000 adults in the U.S. (86 to 231 per million population*) will get cancer in their lifetime due to Particle Board Formaldehyde exposure.
Carb Compliant Particle Board Phase 1 will only reduce the cancer cases by 12 to 35 cases.

*Based on EPA specifically reporting up to 63 kids per million will get cancer (49 million kids under 9 in USA) and 231 adults per million will also get cancer due to particle board (327 million adult population in USA).

*Stats are documented on page 31 of the following link from The California Air Resources Board: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/barcu/board/books/2007/042607/07-4-3pres.pdf

Official Statement from The US Government Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry:

How likely is formaldehyde to cause cancer?

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) determined in 2011 that formaldehyde is a known cause of cancer based on sufficient human and animal inhalation studies. Link:
https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/ToxFAQs/ToxFAQsLanding.aspx?id=219&tid=39 Paragraph 6

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