“Uncovering the Hidden Danger: Formaldehyde and Cancer Risk in the Air”
Formaldehyde, a toxic chemical emitted from various sources such as cars, trucks, planes, and industrial facilities, has been identified as a leading cause of cancer in the air. According to a recent analysis conducted by ProPublica, formaldehyde poses a significant cancer risk in every populated U.S. census block, with the incremental lifetime risk exceeding one incidence of cancer in every million people. This risk is significantly higher in areas where the concentration of formaldehyde is at least 10 times higher, affecting approximately 320 million people across the country.
The analysis was based on formaldehyde concentrations modeled by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and released through the agency’s AirToxScreen database. The data, which includes ambient and exposure concentrations of formaldehyde, was used to calculate incremental lifetime cancer risks by multiplying the exposure concentrations with the EPA’s Inhalation Unit Risk (IUR). The IUR, finalized in August, is the EPA’s scientific estimate of the carcinogenicity of formaldehyde, although it only accounts for the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer and not myeloid leukemia, another cancer caused by formaldehyde.
It is important to note that the data does not include the risk from formaldehyde in indoor air, which studies have shown to be much higher than outdoor concentrations. Additionally, certain census blocks may have high risks due to wildfires in or near them in 2020, as emissions from that year were used to calculate lifetime risks. The EPA is currently recalculating the cancer risk in these areas and providing caveats for blocks with exceptionally high risks.
The analysis underscores the urgent need for stricter regulations and measures to reduce formaldehyde emissions and protect public health. With the increasing impact of climate change on wildfire frequency and air quality, the risk of cancer from formaldehyde exposure is expected to rise in the future. It is crucial for policymakers and regulatory agencies to address this issue and prioritize the health and well-being of the population.
Sources:
– EPA AirToxScreen 2020
– EPA Integrated Risk Information System
For more information on this analysis, you can read the full story on ProPublica’s website.