ACC Challenges EPA’s Final Formaldehyde Assessment

Statement on EPA’s Assessment

The American Chemistry Council's (ACC) Formaldehyde Panel has issued a strong critique of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Final Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Assessment of formaldehyde. According to the ACC, the assessment does not meet the required standards of scientific rigor and is thus deemed unsuitable for regulatory decision-making.

Criticism of the Assessment

The ACC contends that the EPA’s final assessment fails to incorporate significant criticisms from peer review bodies and feedback from numerous experts, stakeholders, and other agencies. The statement argues that the EPA is neglecting essential scientific standards and procedural requirements, potentially leading to unscientific and legally flawed regulatory actions later this year.

“If the EPA persists with its current approach,” the ACC warns, “formalaldehyde manufacturing and many of its downstream uses could face severe restrictions or even a potential ban in the U.S. This would have a profoundly negative impact on the environment, human health, national security, and the economy.”

Discrepancies with International Standards

The ACC's statement highlights a significant discrepancy between the toxicity values produced by the EPA’s IRIS Assessment and those established by international authorities, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Chemicals Agency. These global health agencies and regulators have utilized extensive scientific evidence to support safe thresholds for formaldehyde exposure and have not found a causal link to leukemia.

Call for Reassessment

The Formaldehyde Panel has previously addressed numerous procedural and scientific flaws in the EPA’s assessment, most recently detailed in a July 2024 letter to EPA Administrator Regan. The Panel is calling for the EPA to revisit and revise the assessment, citing the IRIS program’s history of being out of alignment with best available science, transparency issues, and a lack of responsiveness to peer review and stakeholder feedback.

Regulatory Context

The ACC emphasizes that formaldehyde is already extensively regulated to safeguard human health and the environment. The Panel asserts that existing scientific evidence supports maintaining safe levels of formaldehyde exposure at current regulatory standards.