This report reviews the potential environmental hazards of formaldehyde resulting from its manufacture, use, production from combustion processes and inadvertent production in the environment. Nascent sources of formaldehyde, such as paraformaldehyde, trioxane and hexamethylenetetramine, are also reviewed. The major source of atmospheric discharge of formaldehyde is combustion processes, specifically from automobile emissions. Formaldehyde is also a product of atmospheric photooxidation of hydrocarbons emitted from automobiles. Photochemical degradation of formaldehyde also occurs in the atmosphere. Formaldehyde is a mutagen is lower animals such as Drosophila and bacteria. This property is the basis of its use as a fumigant. Even though formaldehyde is a strong alkylating agent, information to date indicates that it is not mutagenic or carcinogenic in mammals, probably due to the mammalian body's ability to repair this type of nucleic acid damage. Formaldehyde is an allergen. It is also highly toxic in low concentrations causing eye and lung damage and affecting the central nervous system. However, formaldehyde is also a metabolite in biological systems and can be efficiently metabolized to formic acid, carbon dioxide and water, or utilized in the one carbon pool.

Prepared for the Office of Toxic Substances, Environmental Protection Agency. Report no. EPA 560/2-76-009. "PB 256 839." Includes bibliographical references (pages 183-204).