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o Used as a preservative

o In residential conditionsit can off-gas from woodproducts or other itemscontaining formaldehyde

o Such releases may occurfrom:

o Paintso Varnisheso Smoking

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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

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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

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• 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

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

PPT-058-01

Exposure monitoring is neededto 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

Impingersampling method

Passive monitors

Direct reading gas monitor

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)

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.

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)

Residential Indoor Air Quality Services

o Conduct indoor air quality monitoring based on strategically designed sampling plan

o Collect air samples using a validated methodo Analyze samples by accredited laboratoryo Corroborate data with scientific evidenceo Consult with stakeholders regarding methods

of remediationo Provide litigation support and testimonyo Post-remediation verification testing and

analysis

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