Starting With Formaldehyde, Trump Administration Reexamines Chemical Risks

EPA Draft Memo Proposes a “Safe” Threshold for the Carcinogen

The Environmental Protection Agency has released a draft memorandum that assumes the existence of a safe exposure level for formaldehyde, a chemical long classified as a carcinogen. This marks a stark departure from earlier scientific assessments, which concluded that any exposure to formaldehyde could increase cancer risk.

According to the memo, the agency is adopting a risk‑assessment framework that sets a specific concentration limit, suggesting that exposure below that limit would not pose a significant health threat. Critics argue that this approach contradicts decades of research indicating that formaldehyde does not have a threshold below which it is harmless.

Environmental groups and public‑health advocates have voiced concerns that the new policy could weaken protections for workers and consumers, potentially allowing higher levels of the chemical in indoor air, consumer products, and industrial settings.

The draft is currently open for public comment, and the EPA has invited stakeholders to submit feedback before a final decision is made. If adopted, the policy could set a precedent for how other hazardous substances are evaluated under the current administration.