English Abstract This report contains general information on
formaldehyde concerning the current standards and guidelines, emissions,
exposure levels and effect levels. The document is to be considered as a
start for the national discussion during an exploratory meeting to determine
whether evaluation at the level of an integrated criteria document is
required. Formaldehyde is naturally produced as a degradation product of
methane largely determining the background concentration at the global
scale. Regionally and locally other sources are important: in the
Netherlands the most important emission source to surface water is the
chemical industry whereas to air the use as disinfectant (lifestock farming)
and combustion processes (traffic) play an important role. Information on
the occurrence of formaldehyde in the various environmental compartments is
very limited, hampering a sound risk evaluation. Based on animal data
formaldehyde is considered to be a carcinogen, causing tumours on the side
of entry (nasal cavity). The threshold value is assumed to correspond with
the threshold value for cytotoxic effects. For inhalatory exposure the
recommendation of the Health Council is followed (95 and 98 percentile 24 hr
average of 30 and 40 mug.m-3, respectively). Based on model calculations
these values may be exceeded in hundreds of streets on kerbsides and near
building facades in inner cities due to traffic. Also in the indoor
environment the limit values may be exceeded, probably largely as a result
of indoor emission sources like smoking, and building and insulation
materials. In contrast to this the risk of oral exposure through food and
drinking water is considered negligible. The aquatic ecosystems may be at
risk in the vicinity of the major point sources, whereas effects on
vegetation alongside busy traffic roads can not be excluded. Taking into
account the uncertainties in the exposure levels it is recommended to
initiate a measuring programme to determine the exposure levels in outdoor
air and water at strategic sites. Further the estimated emission figures on
livestock farming need to be checked.
