Formaldehyde: a question of cancer policy?

Abstract

This article describes recent events concerning the assessment and regulation of formaldehyde, and evaluates the scientific data pertaining to the carcinogenicity of this substance in the context of established cancer policies and guidelines. The conclusion is that recent decisions by several federal agencies to defer action to limit human exposure to formaldehyde may be a "test case" for a new, less protective policy concerning the regulation of carcinogenic substances in general.