GAO Reports on Contact Dermatitis from Formaldehyde in Textiles
The Government Accountability Office has issued a report entitled “Formaldehyde in Textiles: While Levels in Clothing Generally Appear to Be Low, Allergic Contact Dermatitis Is a Health Issue for Some People.”
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(Formaldehyde can be used to enhance wrinkle resistance in some clothing and textiles, especially those made of cotton.
GAO has issued this report in response to a mandate in the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. See ITT’s Online Archives or 12/08/08 news, 08120805, for BP summary of this provision of the CPSIA.)
Dermal Exposure May Have Health Effects, Labels Do Not Identify Formaldehyde
GAO states that allergic contact dermatitis is the health risk of greatest concern associated with formaldehyde in clothing, which stems from dermal exposure. Allergic contact dermatitis is a form of eczema that affects the immune system and produces reactions characterized by rashes, blisters, and flaky, dry skin that can itch or burn. Another potential health effect from dermal exposure to formaldehyde, irritant contact dermatitis, is also a form of eczema and has similar symptoms; however, it does not affect the immune system.
GAO notes that consumers may also experience dermal exposure to formaldehyde by using some cosmetics and skin care products, such as shampoos and sunscreens that contain formaldehyde.
Avoiding clothing containing formaldehyde is typically effective at preventing allergic and irritant contact dermatitis and relieving symptoms, but doing so can be difficult as clothing labels do not identify items treated with or containing formaldehyde.
Formaldehyde Levels in Clothing Sold in U.S. are Low and Declining
GAO reports that while comprehensive data on formaldehyde levels in clothing sold in the U.S. are not publicly available, recent studies suggest that formaldehyde levels in clothing are generally low and have declined over time.
The apparel industry reports that 13 countries have laws or regulations that limit formaldehyde levels in clothing, and most of the 180 items GAO had tested for this study had formaldehyde levels that were below the most stringent of these industry-identified regulatory limits (e.g., in the European Union, New Zealand, and Australia).
Moreover, government studies GAO reviewed showed a decline in the formaldehyde levels in clothing since the 1980s, and the levels reported in these studies are generally consistent with the decline in levels reported in the medical literature.
GAO notes that this decline is associated with the development and use of low-formaldehyde technologies (resins) in manufacturing clothing, which has been encouraged by such factors as the identification of formaldehyde as a probable human carcinogen via inhalation; the promulgation of federal regulations protecting workers from inhalation exposure to formaldehyde; and limits on formaldehyde levels that some U.S. retailers have established for clothing they sell.
GAO’s report contains no recommendations.
Previous Testimony Stated No Action Necessary Unless GAO Shows Concerns
In an April 2009 Senate subcommittee hearing, "Formaldehyde in Textiles and Consumer Products,” a doctor testified that since all the studies over the last 30 years indicating that there is not a problem with U.S. textiles and regulations already in place concerning formaldehyde and textiles, no new regulations are necessary and there should be no action concerning formaldehyde and textiles unless the results of the CPSIA-required study by GAO clearly show that areas of concern still exist.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 05/01/09 news, 09050140, for BP summary.)
(GAO-10-875, dated August 2010)