California leads the way on formaldehyde reduction

The Californian State Government has recently introduced world leading legislation working towards a total ban on the use of formaldehyde in timber board products.

There is no known safe level of formaldehyde exposure. As much as 400 tons of formaldehyde is emitted by building materials each year in California, specifically from composite wood products, leading to hazardous formaldehyde concentrations in the air of homes, schools and offices.

The World Health Organization and California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment have both identified formaldehyde as a known human carcinogen. Formaldehyde is also suspected of being an asthma trigger as well as contributing to building related illnesses and multiple chemical sensitivity.

This is a seriously bad product and the Californian Government can only be commended for taking such a lead.

Only last week is Australia a range of Sheridan Sheets was found to have up to 10 times the acceptable level of formaldehyde.