The risk to your health from breathing in any chemical depends on how much is in the air and how long and how often you breathe it in. Not all people have the same risk. Age, gender, genetics, lifestyle, and other factors play a role in how exposure to chemicals affects health. Breathing very high levels of formaldehyde for hours or days can cause different health impacts than breathing high levels of formaldehyde for years. While you can’t control all the sources of formaldehyde in the environment, taking action to reduce exposure can lower your risk of health effects now and in the future.
What is formaldehyde and where does it come from?
Formaldehyde is one of many volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A VOC is a carbon-based chemical that easily evaporates into the air and can react with sunlight to form air pollution. Both large and small sources release VOCs into the air. All VOCs, including formaldehyde, can form ground-level ozone. Ground-level ozone can cause both short-term and long-term health effects.
Burning substances such as tobacco products and wood release small amounts of formaldehyde into the air. Vehicle exhaust and industrial sources release larger amounts of formaldehyde into the air. Everyone is exposed to a small amount of formaldehyde every day. Low levels of formaldehyde are in the outdoor environment, in cars and buses, in the workplace, and in the home. Formaldehyde can also be found in some household and personal care products.
Formaldehyde and your health
- Breathing low levels of formaldehyde for a short time usually does not cause immediate or serious health impacts. Some people may experience nose, throat, and eye irritation.
- Prolonged exposure to formaldehyde increases the risk of developing cancers, including leukemia. Long-term exposure to formaldehyde is also associated with an increased risk of nose and throat cancers. Spending more time around formaldehyde and being in environments with higher amounts raises the chances of developing cancer.
- People with asthma, young children, older adults, and people who are sensitive to chemicals may be more likely to have health impacts from acrolein.
If you have serious symptoms or symptoms that don’t go away, contact a healthcare provider.
If you don’t have insurance or a healthcare provider, we encourage you to apply for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) or the Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). Visit Health First Colorado.
Reducing exposure to formaldehyde reduces the risk of health problems
There are rules and regulations to help protect the environment and health, but you can also take steps to further minimize exposure. If you are concerned about formaldehyde, consider these steps to reduce your exposure:
- Avoid cigarette smoke.
- Air cleaners can improve indoor air quality. Formaldehyde can be removed by air cleaners that contain activated carbon filters.
- Consider limiting or eliminating wood fires in your home.
- Avoid using unvented heaters in your home or garage.
- Programs, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Safer Choice, can help identify household products with safer ingredients for health.
- People with asthma, young children, older adults, and people who are sensitive to chemicals may be more likely to have health impacts from formaldehyde.
- Reducing the amount of time spent exposed to formaldehyde can lower overall cancer risk. There are things you can do to help reduce your total risk of cancer.
Learn more about formaldehyde
- In January 2025, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission selected formaldehyde as one of five priority air toxics. The new rule aligns with requirements in Colorado’s Public Protections From Toxic Air Contaminants Act. Next, the CDPHE Air Pollution Control Division will propose health-based standards and emission control strategy regulations for the five air toxics.
- To stay involved: Visit the division’s public participation opportunities web page and sign up for email updates on air toxics.
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lists formaldehyde as a hazardous air pollutant (HAP) under the Clean Air Act. HAPs can cause serious health problems and come from a variety of different sources.
- The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry provides additional information about formaldehyde and health.
Contact
For information about formaldehyde and your health, contact ToxCall at 303-692-2606 or cdphe_toxcall@state.co.us.