Formaldehyde: sources, methods of analysis, exposure and health effects.

Summary of conference discussions on formaldehyde, including character- ization, sources, measurement techniques, health effects, mitigation techniques and conclusions: 1. Elevated formaldehyde concentrations, higher than 100 ppb, are measured in many indoor environments. Formaldehyde concentrations relate positively with temperature and decrease with the age of the source. 2. Urea formaldehyde bonded products can be improved to such a degree that indoor levels can be reduced to ambient levels if the materials are properly installed and used. 3. Formaldehyde is not a potent carcinogen for humans. Pulmonary functions are similar in populations exposed to elevated formaldehyde concentrations.