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Newsbrief from Environmental Building News

December 1, 2009

Diverse Interest Groups Support National Formaldehyde Standard

Collins Pine FreeForm particleboard meets stringent CARB standards for formaldehyde levels; pending legislation would make those standards applicable nationwide.

A bill recently introduced in the U.S. Senate proposing a national standard for formaldehyde in composite wood products has garnered support from a variety of organizations that may not be very accustomed to one another’s company. The bill (S-1660), sponsored by Senators Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Mike Crapo of Idaho, would amend the federal Toxic Substances Control Act to limit the allowable formaldehyde content in composite wood products to roughly 0.09 ppm, varying slightly by product type.

The proposed standard is based on the limits enacted by the California Air Resources Board (see EBN June 2007), and would make U.S. formaldehyde regulations the strongest in the world, according to a statement by Senator Klobuchar.

Organizations offering their support of the national formaldehyde standard include the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association, the Sierra Club, the Composite Panel Association, the steelworkers’ union, and a variety of other industry and housing organizations. S-1660 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

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