CA Prop 65

OEHHA Formaldehyde in Furniture Products
How can I reduce my exposure to formaldehyde (gas) from furniture products?
Remove or reduce existing sources of formaldehyde and avoid adding new sources.
Choose:
Formaldehyde-free furniture, such as solid wood and stainless steel.
Furniture with lower formaldehyde gas-emission labels. These can include:
“Exterior grade” pressed wood.
California Air Resources Board (CARB) Phase 2 criteria.
Ultra-low-emitting formaldehyde (ULEF).
No-added formaldehyde (NAF).
Avoid furniture made with urea-formaldehyde resins that does not California Air
Resources Board (CARB) Phase 2 compliant label.
Air out new furniture made from composite wood products containing
formaldehyde, preferably away from the home and in a well-ventilated area. The
area must have fresh air passing through it, or formaldehyde will not be removed.
Consider asking the manufacturer or store to leave the furniture unsealed in
the warehouse for a few days before delivery.
If furniture made from composite wood containing formaldehyde is the only
available option, consider looking for used items, because release of
formaldehyde gas from composite wood decreases over time.
Apply a surface barrier (for example, latex-based paints or formaldehyde-free
varnishes) onto formaldehyde-containing furniture.
Assure adequate ventilation and open windows and doors regularly to bring in
outdoor air.
Maintain low humidity and temperatures. More formaldehyde is released when it
is hot and damp.
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For more information:
General Formaldehyde Fact Sheets and Resources:
 US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Facts about Formaldehyde:
http://www.epa.gov/formaldehyde/facts-about-
formaldehyde#whatisformaldehyde
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Formaldehyde and Cancer Risk:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/causes-
prevention/risk/substances/formaldehyde/formaldehyde-fact-sheet
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April 2016 2/3