Link to Forbes.com (Jan. 6, 2026) | In December 2025, the [EPA] announced an updated draft risk calculation memorandum for formaldehyde for public comment. Given that many of these products are built into our houses and condos, I reached out to professionals involved in these fields for their opinions on possible changes to the regulations and the impacts that can have on our homes and health.
“Formaldehyde policy isn’t an abstract chemicals debate — it shows up in everyday decisions about cabinets, flooring, built-ins, furniture, insulation/adhesives, and renovation timelines,” comments Ben Stapleton, executive director of USGBC California, a sustainability-focused nonprofit organization. “What concerns me most is the potential for the public to hear ‘re-evaluation’ and assume that means ‘risk reduced,’” he says. (California has labeled formaldehyde as a cancer concern through its Proposition 65, he notes.)
“The choice of the threshold is very important as it can shift how ‘protective’ the benchmark is for sensitive populations and for real-world indoor exposure patterns, where multiple sources can stack up during renovations and new construction,” Stapleton says. (Read full article)
