High concernPreservative
Polyoxymethylene Urea
Formaldehyde releaserKnown carcinogenAllergen
What it is
A polymeric condensation product of urea and formaldehyde.
What it does
Controlled-release preservative and resin, delivering formaldehyde slowly to maintain antimicrobial activity.
Why it’s a concern
By design, releases formaldehyde, a Group 1 human carcinogen. Exposure at low concentrations over long periods remains a concern because formaldehyde is a known nasopharyngeal carcinogen and an upper respiratory irritant. Heavy use in pressed-wood products is a major indoor air quality issue.
Also known as
urea-formaldehyde resin
CAS numbers
9011-05-6
Commonly found in
pressed woodcosmeticsadhesives
Safer alternatives
- phenoxyethanol
- sodium benzoate
- ultralow-emitting resins
Related chemical families
Sources
- IARC Monograph 100F