fiber board and cancer

I heard on NPR one day that fiber board has something in it that can cause cancer. I remember learning this in my pathphysiology class too. It's been bothering me ever since considering the fact that our furniture from Ikea, cabinets and picture frames all contain fiber board.

Formaldehyde is found in fiberboard (pressed board) and this is the cancer causing agent (carcinogen).

I checked out the info at http://www.cancer.gov/ and these were the key points:

Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable, strong-smelling gas that is used to manufacture building materials and produce many household products (see Question 1).

Formaldehyde sources in the home include pressed wood products, cigarette smoke, and fuel-burning appliances (see Question 2).

When exposed to formaldehyde, some individuals may experience various short-term health effects (see Question 3).

Formaldehyde has been classified as a human carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and as a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (see Question 4).

Research studies of workers exposed to formaldehyde have suggested an association between formaldehyde exposure and cancers of the nasal sinuses, nasopharynx, and brain, and possibly leukemia (see Question 5).


Heat, humidity etc. all makes the exposure to this substance worse if you have pressed board in your home. SO BEWARE!!! of cheap furniture from Ikea, push pin boards, picture frames and furniture anywhere that sells for cheap. In fact, the professor of my pathophysiology class said that there are certain countries that BAN the sale of fiberboard- I think Japan was one of them. I should e-mail Ikea and let them know they're making a profit at the expense of our health.