New research, led jointly by the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the University of North Texas, advances our understanding of how the wood in our homes and offices can release formaldehyde, a potent carcinogen, at levels that can exceed certain health limits. The findings, published recently in Green Chemistry, promise to advance public health. Their solution, for which the team has filed a patent, is an effective, low-cost way to mitigate the damage wrought by formaldehyde.