formaldehyde danger

Hello All,

Since everybody seems to be concerned with formaldehyde, I wanted to hunt for scientific study on that. I just wanted to share this abstract with you. I didn't read the full paper myself.

Philippe

Extended follow-up of a cohort of British chemical workers exposed to formaldehyde
Coggon D, Harris EC, Poole J, Palmer KT
JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
95 (21): 1608-1615 NOV 5 2003

Document type: Article Language: English <http://wos1.isiknowledge.com/CIW.cgi?PR=3/3&chem_source=Abstract&SID=QDNsWArg-GYAAGnA3W8&Func=DispCitedRef&UT=000186327800011&PW=&doc=3/3> Cited References: 24 <http://wos1.isiknowledge.com/CIW.cgi?PR=3/3&chem_source=Abstract&SID=QDNsWArg-GYAAGnA3W8&Func=Citing&isickref=131920815&doc=3/3> Times Cited: 1 Find Related Records Explanation <http://wos1.isiknowledge.com/LinkOut.cgi?dest=help/h_summrr.html%23results_rr&origin=>

Abstract:
Background: Formaldehyde is mutagenic and, when inhaled at high concentrations, carcinogenic in rats. Some epidemiologic studies have linked occupational exposure to formaldehyde with cancers of the nose, nasopharynx, and lung, but the evidence for human carcinogenicity has been inconsistent and requires clarification. Methods: We extended by 11 years the follow-up of an existing cohort of 14 014 men employed after 1937 at six British factories where formaldehyde was produced or used. Subjects had been identified from employment records, and their jobs had been classified for potential exposure to formaldehyde. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were derived using the person-years method and were compared with the expected numbers of deaths for the national population. Results: During follow-up through December 31, 2000, 5185 deaths were recorded, including two from sino-nasal cancer (2.3 expected) and one from nasopharyngeal cancer (2.0 expected). Relative to the national population, mortality from lung cancer was increased among those who worked with formaldehyde, particularly in men in the highest of four estimated exposure categories (>2 ppm) (SMR = 1.58, 95% confidence interval = 1.40 to 1.78), and the increase persisted after adjustment for local geographic variations in mortality (SMR = 1.28, 95% confidence interval = 1.13 to 1.44). However, there was a statistically nonsignificant decrease in the risk of death from lung cancer with duration of high exposure (P-trend =.18), and this risk showed no trend with time since first high exposure (P-trend =.99). Conclusions: The evidence for human carcinogenicity of formaldehyde remains unconvincing. Although a small effect on sino-nasal or nasopharyngeal cancer cannot be ruled out, a possible increase in the risk of lung cancer is a greater concern.

KeyWords Plus:
LUNG-CANCER, NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA, EPIDEMIOLOGIC EVIDENCE, NASAL CAVITY, MORTALITY, INDUSTRY, METAANALYSIS, EXPOSURES, PHARYNX, SINUS

Addresses:
Coggon D, Southampton Gen Hosp, MRC, Environm Epidemiol Unit, Southampton SO16 6YD, Hants, England
Univ Southampton, MRC, Environm Epidemiol Unit, Southampton, Hants, England

Publisher:
OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC, JOURNALS DEPT, 2001 EVANS RD, CARY, NC 27513 USA

IDS Number:
739DW

ISSN:
0027-8874
Received on Wed Feb 18 07:56:40 2004