The French Agency for Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (Afsset) has conducted an assessment of toxicological data and health risks to the general population associated with the presence of formaldehyde in indoor and outdoor environments. Eye and respiratory irritation is expected following occasional use of certain household products that emit high concentrations of formaldehyde. In the context of chronic exposure, irritation is a concern, particularly in residential settings. The risk to the general population of developing nasopharyngeal cancer from inhaling formaldehyde alone appears to be negligible given the concentration levels currently measured in indoor air.