– After years of industry delay, formaldehyde and styrene added to carcinogens list:
After years of delay due to intense pressure from the chemical industry, the government finally added formaldehyde and styrene – two of the worlds mostly widely used chemicals – to its list of known and probable carcinogens this month. Formaldehyde is widely used in plywood, particle board, mortuaries and hair salons. Styrene is found in styrofoam containers and is widely used in boat manufacturing.
Government scientists said that while frequent and intense exposures in manufacturing plants was much more worrisome than the intermittent contact that most consumers have, consumers should nevertheless still avoid contact with formaldehyde and styrene, which were added along with six other chemicals to the government’s official Report on Carcinogens.
Read moreAfter years of industry delay, formaldehyde and styrene added to carcinogens list