REACH consortium of Formaldehyde has adopted 0.4 ppm as Derived no Effect Limit (DNEL)
Last week the Steering Committee of the Formaldehyde (REACH) Consortium has voted to adopt a so called DNEL (derived no effect level) of 0.4 ppm with a peak level of 0.8 ppm. REACH defines DNEL as the level of exposure below which the risk to humans can be considered to be adequately controlled. The DNEL has implication on the formaldehyde OEL (occupational exposure limit) to be adopted EU-wide. Currently OELs for formaldehyde range from 0.12 ppm (Netherlands) to 0.3 ppm in Italy to 0.5 ppm in Germany to 2.0 ppm in the UK and Ireland.
Two years ago the Scientific Committee on Occupational Exposure Limits, SCOEL, has proposed a OEL of 0.2 ppm which was based on studies that suggested this as a safe limit. A Europe-wide adoption of this limit would have meant severe consequences especially for the wood based industry. The implementation was postponed to await new exposure studies which suggest that a level of up to 0.5 ppm could be regarded as safe. However, the odor limits is around 0.3 ppm.
This new study was now used by EPF and by individual board producers to strongly suggest that the REACH consortium shall adopt 0.5 ppm as DNEL. Based on the insights of Peter Gelbke, a highly respected toxicologist Formacare has sent a letter to the Formaldehyde Consortium to propose 0.4 ppm as cautious compromise. EPF has indicated that 0.4 ppm is a viable option for the wood based panel industry. This was then adopted by a 2/3 majority in the Formaldehyde Consortium. Dynea has voted for 0.4 ppm as have many other companies. DuPont, Akzo, Sadepan, and some other Italian companies have supported 0.3 ppm.
This does not however mean that 0.4 ppm will be adopted as the EU OEL for formaldehyde any time soon. The expected French Dossier XV to request a reclassification of formaldehyde as human carcinogen which will be weighed in ECHA against the REACH consortium’s DNEL of 0.4 ppm. A ruling on formaldehyde as carcinogen, either human or animal, will for sure influence the final OEL for formaldehyde in Europe ? together with a host of other emission related regulations. But this is not expected before mid to end of 2012.