WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- The office of U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., says Klobuchar proposed legislation Friday aimed at a new health standard regarding formaldehyde.

Klobuchar's office said formaldehyde in wood products, the focus of the senator's proposal for a new nationwide standard, can cause health problems when used in high concentrations, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.

The senator's office said the legislation, co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, would create a national emission standard for formaldehyde.

The proposed legislation would help give domestic producers of composite wood products equal footing with their foreign competition. Domestic producers currently adhere to voluntary standards regarding the use of formaldehyde, Klobuchar's office said.

The Star Tribune said the formaldehyde industry's trade group has already voiced its support of any legislation aimed at strengthening uniform standards on imported products.

The proposed legislation also has the backing of the wood products industry and environmental groups such as the Sierra Club.