Cancer risk over building products

THE consumer watchdog has asked hardware stores to test imported building materials for the carcinogenic chemical formaldehyde.

THE consumer watchdog has asked hardware stores to test imported building materials for the carcinogenic chemical formaldehyde.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has sought assurances from more than 100 importers of flat timber panels -- such as particle board, medium-density fibreboard and plywood -- that the products are safe.

But the ACCC can do nothing to force importers and retailers to comply with voluntary Australian Standards for formaldehyde, which is used in wood glue.

A letter signed by ACCC director of product safety John Wunsch says: "Having regard to the potential adverse health impacts from excessive formaldehyde emissions from timber panels, we are seeking the co-operation of timber panel importers to take appropriate steps, including establishing suitable product-testing regimes, to ensure that their product meets the relevant Australian standards -- or equivalent international standards -- for formaldehyde emissions.

"In addition, for those panels intended only for exterior applications, suitable labelling warning against internal use of these products should be in place."

The ACCC letter refers to concerns raised by the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union nearly a year ago that workers had suffered respiratory irritation after contact with demountable offices lined with imported timber panelling that gave off excessive formaldehyde emissions.

The ACCC also reveals that independent testing by Australian timber industry associations have found formaldehyde levels in some imported timber panels are "significantly higher" than Australian limits.

Mr Wunsch yesterday told The Australian that 20 per cent of importers, including hardware chains, had responded to his letter, sent last month, assuring him their products were safe.

The ACCC is not carrying out its own tests to verify this.

"The standards are voluntary," Mr Wunsch said. "We have no evidence that consumers are at risk."

Asked who was protecting the safety of consumers through independent testing, he replied: "That's a fair question. I can't require them (to test). There is no mandatory regime in the area, maybe because up until now there hasn't been considered a big enough risk to warrant legislation in this area."

Mr Wunsch said he would give timber importers another few weeks to respond to his request. Any who refused to respond would be put on the ACCC's "suspicion list". "We might commission testing of their products if we can locate it," he said.

The Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia called on the ACCC to extend testing to imported flat-pack furniture. It commissioned independent tests of flat-pack furniture purchased from supermarkets and hardware stores, and found three of the four Chinese products failed Australian limits for formaldehyde.

The association's general manager, Simon Dorries, said it was a "grave oversight" for the ACCC to ignore flat-pack furniture and shelving. "Furniture that emits high levels of formaldehyde, especially nursery and children's furniture, is a very serious health risk," he said.