EPA Receives Petition on Health/Environmental Risks of Formaldehyde in Composite Wood Products
The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a notice announcing that it received a petition under section 21 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), regarding the risks to human health and the environment from exposure to formaldehyde in composite wood products, including hardwood plywood, particle board, and medium density fiberboard (MDF).
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(Composite wood products are used in a variety of applications including furniture, flooring, and cabinets. They are engineered wood panels that are typically made from recovered wood waste.)
Comments on the issues raised by the petition must be received by May 12, 2008.
Petitioners Requesting National, Expanded Formaldehyde Emissions Regulations
The petitioners are asking the EPA to assess and reduce the risks to human health and the environment from exposure to formaldehyde in composite wood products, including hardwood plywood, particle board, and MDF, by exercising its authority under TSCA section 6(a) to:
adopt and apply nationally the formaldehyde emissions regulation for composite wood products recently approved by the California Air Resources Board (CARB); and
extend the regulation to include composite wood products used in manufactured homes.
(The petition was received on March 24, 2008, from 25 organizations and approximately 5,000 individuals.)
EPA Must Grant or Deny Petition by June 21, 2008
The EPA states that it must either grant or deny a TSCA section 21 petition within 90 days of receipt of the petition, which in this case is by June 21, 2008.
EPA contact - Colby Linter (202) 554-1404
EPA notice (D/N EPA-HQ-OPPT-2008-0267, FR Pub 04/25/08) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-9136.pdf