In 2010, Klobuchar passed a law setting tough limits for formaldehyde emissions to protect consumers from potentially hazardous levels of formaldehyde in composite wood products 

With the final regulations for the law now three years overdue, Klobuchar sent a letter calling on the EPA to protect families nationwide by immediately finishing its regulatory process

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) is urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to finish implementing bipartisan legislation she passed into law five years ago to protect consumers from formaldehyde in wood products. In 2010, Klobuchar passed a law setting tough limits for formaldehyde emissions to protect consumers from potentially hazardous levels of formaldehyde in composite wood products. With the final regulations for the law now three years overdue, Klobuchar sent a letter calling on the EPA to protect families nationwide by immediately finishing its regulatory process.

“It is very concerning that we are now approaching three full years past the statutory deadline for these rules to be finalized,” Klobuchar wrote. “This legislation was a critical step forward in consumer safety, setting strong limits for formaldehyde emissions to protect consumers from potentially hazardous levels of formaldehyde in composite wood products. A national formaldehyde standard for composite wood products will help protect American consumers and families and it is critical that these rules be finalized as quickly as possible.”

In 2010, Klobuchar along with Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) passed a law that directed the EPA to establish national standards for formaldehyde emissions in new composite wood products by January 1, 2013. The law has broad support from the wood products industry as well as environmental, health, and labor organizations.

A 60 Minutes report this year found that Chinese-made laminate flooring sold by Lumber Liquidators—the largest hardwood flooring retailer in North America—contains levels of toxic formaldehyde that may fail to meet safety and health standards. Formaldehyde is a chemical that is used in many products as an adhesive, bonding agent, or solvent. Exposure to formaldehyde can cause adverse public health effects including eye, nose, and throat irritation, other respiratory symptoms and, in certain cases, cancer. The domestic wood products industry has already adopted voluntary standards to limit formaldehyde, but domestic products face competition from cheaper imported wood products that may contain high concentrations of formaldehyde. These imports have increased dramatically in the past decade, with China as the principal source.

The full text of the senator’s letter is below:

Dear Administrator McCarthy:

            I write to inquire about the status of the promulgation of the rules in response to the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act (P.L. 111-199) passed in the 111^th Congress and enacted into law by President Obama in July 2010.

            It is very concerning that that we are now approaching three full years past the statutory deadline for these rules to be finalized. This legislation was a critical step forward in consumer safety, setting strong limits for formaldehyde emissions to protect consumers from potentially hazardous levels of formaldehyde in composite wood products. The legislation had bipartisan support as well as the support of industry, public health and environmental groups.

            A national formaldehyde standard for composite wood products will help protect American consumers and families and I urge the EPA to finalize these rules as quickly as possible.

                                                                        Sincerely,

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