The UK government has attempted to undermine a proposed new European exposure limit to protect workers from a chemical linked to allergies and cancer. Commenting on new standards agreed by the European Commission’s Advisory Committee for Safety and Health at Work, the European Trade Union Confederation’s (ETUC) research arm, ETUI-REHS, reported: “The German and British governments actively supported the formaldehyde industry’s campaign, while the other governments were divided.” In 1997, Hazards magazine revealed the Health and Safety Executive had leapt to the defence of the MDF industry after unions called for a ban on formaldehyde-containing MDF boards. Since then unions in Australia and the US have pressed for low- and no-formaldehyde boards.

Risks 359. Related story: Fatal failings on formaldehyde, Burying the evidence, Hazards magazine, number 92, 2005.