Kentucky environment attorney Sanders says formaldehyde is a chemical of concern to scientists studying carcinogens in workplace.

There is a large buzz going around regarding formaldehyde and whether it may be a human carcinogen in the workplace and in common household products. The wood and timber industry will fight all attempts to remove formaldehyde from use in plywood and partical board, not to mention paper coatings.

Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable, strong-smelling chemical that is used to manufacture building materials and to produce many household products. It is used in pressed-wood products, such as particleboard, plywood, and fiberboard; glues and adhesives; permanent-press fabrics; paper product coatings; and certain insulation materials.

In addition, formaldehyde is commonly used as an industrial fungicide, germicide, and disinfectant, and as a preservative in mortuaries and medical laboratories.

Despite the lack of regulatory action in America, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies this chemical as a human carcinogen, based primarily on its association with nasopharyngeal cancer. In 1995, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimated that approximately 2.1 million workers in the United States were exposed to formaldehyde.