EWG's Guide to
Healthy Cleaning

Find products and ingredients Learn how the Guide works Discover EWG VERIFIED®

HOME / INGREDIENTS / Formaldehyde


F

FORMALDEHYDE

Substance Image

SEARCH PRODUCTS


COMMONLY FOUND IN


SYNONYMS

SC-46956, E240, FORMALDEHYDE;FORMALDEHYDE [BSI:ISO];METHANAL;FORMALDEHYDE (ACT. 37%);FORMALIN;FORMALDEHYDE FORMALDEHYDE [BSI:ISO] METHANAL FORMALDEHYDE (ACT. 37%) FORMALIN, FORMALDEHYDE SOLUTION, STABILIZED WITH METHANOL, ~37 WT. % IN H2O, CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIAL, FORMALDEHYDE SOLUTION, MEETS ANALYTICAL SPECIFICATION OF PH.??EUR., BP, 35 WT. %, CONTAINS 10% METHANOL AS STABILIZER, FORMALDEHYDE SOLUTION, MEETS USP TESTING SPECIFICATIONS, CONTAINS 9.0-15% METHANOL AS STABILIZER, FORMALDEHYDE SOLUTION, ACS REAGENT, 37 WT. % IN H2O, CONTAINS 10-15% METHANOL AS STABILIZER (TO PREVENT POLYMERIZATION), FORMALIN SOLUTION, NEUTRAL BUFFERED, 10%, CASE OF 48 X 15 ML, HISTOLOGICAL TISSUE FIXATIVE, FORMALIN SOLUTION, NEUTRAL BUFFERED, 10%, CASE OF 24 X 60 ML, HISTOLOGICAL TISSUE FIXATIVE, FORMALIN SOLUTION, NEUTRAL BUFFERED, 10%, CASE OF 24 X 120 ML, HISTOLOGICAL TISSUE FIXATIVE

Common Concerns

See how this product scores for common concerns.

  • MODERATE
    Asthma / Respiratory
  • HIGH
    Skin Allergies & Irritation
  • SOME
    Developmental & Reproductive Toxicity
  • HIGH
    Cancer
  • No Data
    Environment


Top Scoring Factors

Evidence of cancer; skin irritation/allergies/damage; general systemic/organ effects


Ingredient concerns

  • CONCERNS
Health Issue Level of Concern Source
Collapse content Expand content

Suspected of causing cancer

high

EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes

Causes severe skin burns and eye damage

Only in: Oven Cleaner; Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Hard Water Stain Remover; Toilet Cleaner; Stove Top Cleaner; Household Cleaners

high

EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes

Known to cause cancer

high

California OEHHA (Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment): Proposition 65 List (2020 Update)

Carcinogenic to humans

high

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Agents classified by the IARC Monographs (through Volume 127)

Known To Be Human Carcinogen

high

National Toxicology Program (NTP): NTP 14th Report on Carcinogens

Probably carcinogenic to humans

high

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) - Cancer

Toxic in contact with skin

Only in: Household Cleaners

moderate

EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes

Toxic if inhaled

Only in: Household Cleaners

moderate

EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes

Causes nasal cancer

moderate

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

Generally accepted as an asthmagen.

moderate

Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC): AOEC Exposure Code List (2020 Update)

suspected human carcinogen

moderate

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Basis

Toxic if swallowed

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes

May cause an allergic skin reaction

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes

European Union Ecolabel program data shows this substance has high acute toxicity to aquatic life

some

EU Ecolabel: Detergents Ingredients Database

Causes severe skin burns and eye damage

Only in: Drain Opener/Clog Remover; Oven Cleaner; Hard Water Stain Remover; Toilet Cleaner; Stove Top Cleaner; Household Cleaners

some

EU GHS Hazard Labeling Codes: GHS Hazard Codes

Causes respiratory irritation

some

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

Causes skin irritation

some

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

May cause an allergic skin reaction

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website

NTP Toxcast scored 1.5-2.5

some

National Toxicology Program (NTP): EWG Toxcast Analysis

causes serious eye irritation

Only in: Household Cleaners

some

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA): GHS Data from ECHA Website

eye irritation

low

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Basis

EPA testing shows this substance has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life

low

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPA Fathead Minnow Acute Toxicity Database

The European Union Ecolabel program reports this substance is readily biodegradable.

low

EU Ecolabel: Detergents Ingredients Database



Understanding scores

EWG provides information on cleaning product ingredients from the published scientific literature, to supplement incomplete data available from companies and the government. The ratings indicate the relative level of concern posed by exposure to the ingredients in this product - not the product itself - compared to other product formulations. The ratings reflect potential health hazards but do not account for the level of exposure or individual susceptibility, factors which determine actual health risks, if any.

HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES

Hazard score

The Healthy Cleaning ingredient hazard score, from A to F, reflects known and suspected hazards linked to the ingredients. The EWG VERIFIED® mark means a product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health.

Score legend


4

Products with This Ingredient

VIEW ALL PRODUCTS WITH THIS INGREDIENT




Cleaners Healthy Living App Cleaners Healthy Living App

EWG research
on the go

Find personal care, cleaning, and food products on the EWG Healthy Living app.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

EWG research
on the go

Find personal care, cleaning, and food products on the EWG Healthy Living app.

DOWNLOAD THE APP