Benjamin Bala was interviewed in The Straits Times by Judith Tan.

The article spotlighted a formaldehyde poisoning case experienced by a reader, named Aden. The article quotes Benjamin saying that there are currently no legal or regulatory restrictions on the use of compounds containing formaldehyde in renovation works and Aden’s main recourse would be to sue the contractor or interior designer for negligence.

She would be required to prove that the materials used caused her condition, and that the contractor or interior designer knew or should have known of the likelihood of formaldehyde poisoning.

He mentioned concerned home owners could include in their contracts clear provisions limiting the use of building or renovation materials containing formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). He also added that a court process may be prohibitively expensive and advised that she could engage in mediation instead.

The article has also been syndicated on The New Paper and AsiaOne.