world news - 07.05.2007
California Backs Lowering Formaldehyde in Wood
Over objections from some businesses, the California Air
Resources Board approved new rules they say will reduce the total
amount of formaldehyde released into the air in the state to 150 tons
annually, down from the current 650 tons.
"They will be the most stringent in the United States and when
they are fully implemented they will be the most stringent in the
world," said Dimitri Stanich, a spokesman for the board.
Formaldehyde is used in resins to bind together composite wood
products. The new rules will be phased in starting in 2009 and fully
implemented by 2012.
Stanich said 86 to 231 per million adults develop cancers from
exposure to formaldehyde and that the numbers would drop by 35 to 97
lifetime cases per million under the first phase of the new rules.
Formaldehyde can also cause eye, nose and throat irritation.
"Because these emissions would also substantially reduce indoor
formaldehyde exposures, the largest benefit would be realized by buyers
of new homes," an Air Resources Board staff report said.
At a public hearing on the issue, some manufacturers warned the
new rules would lead to higher prices and argued unsuccessfully they
needed more time to adjust to the regulation.
See also:
- — Swedish spruce more and more rare in Southern Sweden
- — China needs "responsible" timber choice--Greenpeace
- — Fossilised trees mystery solved
- — More storm felled timber than previously expected still remains in Swedish forests
- — World Must Seek Change in China Timber Trade — Report