On August 17, 2014 the New York Times published an article on the latest evaluation of formaldehyde’s carcinogenicity by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). The NAS reviewed a report published in 2011 by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) and literature that was available at the time of writing the report. The NTP’s 12th Report on Carcinogens listed formaldehyde as “known human carcinogen”. This assessment has now been confirmed by the academy. Formaldehyde was clearly identified to cause nasopharyngeal cancer, sinonasal cancer and myeloid leukemia. Further studies cited in the report gave evidence that formaldehyde causes an even higher number of different cancers. Formaldehyde is also widely used in the production of food contact materials, e.g. plastics, paper and board, and printing inks, and has been shown to migrate into foods at low levels.
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The New York Times (August 17, 2014). “The verdict on a troublesome carcinogen – formaldehyde and cancer.”
The National Academies Press (August 8, 2014). “Review of the formaldehyde assessment in the national Toxicology Program 12th report on carcinogens.”
National Toxicology Program (June 10, 2011). “12th Report on Carcinogens (RoC).”
