The Trump administration's Environmental Protection Agency has reversed Biden-era regulations on formaldehyde exposure, utilizing science provided by the chemical industry to support less restrictive standards.

Documents obtained from chemical producers and the EPA show the agency moved in late 2025 to undo previous findings on the carcinogenic risks of formaldehyde, a chemical commonly found in consumer products including cosmetics, furniture, and craft supplies.

The Biden EPA had determined in late 2024 that any exposure to formaldehyde increased cancer risk and posed other health problems. This assessment led to stronger protective regulations for the widely-used chemical compound.

The Trump EPA's reversal involved replacing the Biden administration's health risk assessments with what the documents describe as "less protective figures" supported by industry-funded research. Chemical lobby groups played a role in influencing this policy change.

Formaldehyde is classified as a carcinogen and is present in numerous everyday consumer products. The regulatory changes affect exposure limits and safety standards for the chemical across various industries and consumer applications.