6/4/2010
On June 2, 2010, EPA published its draft IRIS Toxicological Review of Formaldehyde - Inhalation Assessment.
EPA found formaldehyde to cause asthma and to be a carcinogen. It also cited some disturbing reproductive impacts. EPA used three studies to find a range of potential reference concentrations between 2.8 to 11. A RfC is an estimate of a continuous inhalation exposure concentration to people (including sensitive subgroups) that is likely to be without risk of deleterious effects during a lifetime. The cRfCs are based on asthma, atopy, severity of allergic sensitization and reduction in peak expiratory flow rates in children.