Abstract
PurposeRecent epidemiologic studies indicate elevated risks for some lymphohematopoietic malignancies (LHM) related to formaldehyde exposure. We performed a systematic review of literature to assess the strength and consistency of associations.MethodsWe summarized published literature in the PubMed database of the National Library of Medicine during 1966–2012. Literature was categorized according to study design and population: industrial cohort studies, professional cohort studies, and population-based case–control studies.ResultsFindings from occupational cohort and population-based case–control studies were very inconsistent for LHM, including myeloid leukemia. Apart from some isolated exceptions, relative risks were close to the null, and there was little evidence for dose–response relations for any of the LHM.ConclusionsAt present, there is no consistent or strong epidemiologic evidence that formaldehyde is causally related to any of the LHM. The absence of established toxicological mechanisms further weakens any arguments for causation. To be informative, future epidemiologic research should improve on formaldehyde exposure assessment and apply modern diagnostic schemes for specific LHM.
Highlights
Formaldehyde (CH2O) is a simple one-carbon molecule, found in most human and other living cells as a normal product of the metabolism of serine, glycine, methionine, and choline, and is generated in the demethylation of N, O, and S-methyl compounds
Findings from occupational cohort and population-based case–control studies were very inconsistent for lymphohematopoietic malignancies (LHM), including myeloid leukemia
Among the formaldehydeexposed portion of the cohort, there was a weak trend of relative risk (RR) with peak exposure, for both all leukemias and myeloid leukemia, largely influenced by elevated RRs of 1.78 for myeloid leukemias and 1.42 (0.92–2.18) for ‘‘other’’ leukemias in the highest peak exposure category
Summary
Formaldehyde (CH2O) is a simple one-carbon molecule, found in most human and other living cells as a normal product of the metabolism of serine, glycine, methionine, and choline, and is generated in the demethylation of N-, O-, and S-methyl compounds. It is an essential intermediate in the biosynthesis of purines, thymidine, and various amino acids [1]. Formaldehyde is produced commercially and is valuable as a biocide, preservative, and basic chemical in the manufacture of common materials such as plastics, building materials, glues and fabrics, and many household and consumer products, including medicines, health, and beauty aids. High concentrations of formaldehyde were found inside some of the temporary housing units built for victims of hurricane Katrina in the US in 2008, which raised the public awareness of the chemical and its potential acute health effects [3, 4]
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