Critical review and synthesis of the epidemiologic evidence on formaldehyde exposure and risk of leukemia and other lymphohematopoietic malignancies

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.

Mortality from lymphohematopoietic neoplasms and other causes in a cohort of laminated plastic workers exposed to formaldehyde

“…Besides confirming the overall evaluation of formaldehyde as ''carcinogenic to humans (Group 1),'' a recent International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monograph concluded that there is adequate evidence for a causal role of formaldehyde on leukemia, though not all the members of the Working Group agreed [3]. On the other hand, a systematic review published during 2012 concluded for a lack of consistent or strong evidence for any lymphohematopoietic cancer [7]. The issue has been widely debated [5,8,[11][12][13][14] and is still open to discussion.…”

“…A causal relationship between formaldehyde exposure and leukemia-particularly of the myeloid type-and other lymphoid neoplasms is controversial [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. Two large US studies published during 2009, one of workers of ten formaldehyde-using or formaldehyde-producing plants [5] and one of professionals of the funeral industry [8], provided evidence for a role of formaldehyde on myeloid leukemia.…”

Evaluation of the Developed Formaldehyde Detector

“…It is used as an ingredient in manufacturing building materials and making household products; and as preservative in medical laboratories and funeral homes [1]. It is used in making glues, fabrics, plastics, paints, varnishes, carpets, medicines, and beauty aids [2], [3].…”

Protective Effect of Vitamin E on Formaldehyde-Induced Injuries in the Rat Kidney

“…It is used for fixation of tissues, aromatization and in other chemical components (3). It is found in all body cells and results from cerine, glycine and methionine metabolism (4). Different studies have indicated that it can produce free radicals in the body, which can cause harmful effects on different body organs (5,6).…”