17 June 2004 - Danger of Formaldehyde as a Cause of Cancer now Reclassified
There has
now been a reclassification of Formaldehyde, a common substance found in
workplaces, such as Timber, Plastics, Resins and Coating Processes of these
products.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which was
established by the World Health Organisation (WHO), states that Formaldehyde
may also be the cause of some types of Leukaemia.
High levels of the Formaldehyde may cause Nasopharyngeal, which is a back of
the mouth and nose cancer.
A review of literature and the latest epidemiological studies, by panels of
26 International Scientists revealed the problems which high levels of
Formaldehyde within the workplace can cause.
Due to these findings, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) say workers'
exposure should not exceed the Maximum Exposure Limit (MEL) of two parts per
million (2 ppm), average time weighted over eight hours, with the short-term
limit, averaged over ten minutes, being two parts per million (2 ppm) also.
A workers exposure to MEL, as stated by the HSE, should not exceed 2 ppm.
Every effort should be made, by Companies using the Formaldehyde substance,
to reduce the exposure, as far as is reasonably practicable and should also
be below the MEL.
