Formaldehyde Exposure and Asthma in Children: A Systematic Review

Abstract

ObjectiveDespite multiple published studies regarding the association between formaldehyde exposure and childhood asthma, a consistent association has not been identified. Here we report the results of a systematic review of published literature in order to provide a more comprehensive picture of this relationship.Data sourcesAfter a comprehensive literature search, we identified seven peer-reviewed studies providing quantitative results regarding the association between formaldehyde exposure and asthma in children. Studies were heterogeneous with respect to the definition of asthma (e.g., self-report, physician diagnosis). Most of the studies were cross-sectional.Data extractionFor each study, an odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for asthma were either abstracted from published results or calculated based on the data provided. Characteristics regarding the study design and population were also abstracted.Data synthesisWe used fixed- and random-effects models to calculate pooled ORs and 95% CIs; measures of heterogeneity were also calculated. A fixed-effects model produced an OR of 1.03 (95% CI, 1.02–1.04), and random effects model produced an OR of 1.17 (95% CI, 1.01–1.36), both reflecting an increase of 10 μg/m3 of formaldehyde. Both the Q and I2 statistics indicated a moderate amount of heterogeneity.ConclusionsResults indicate a significant positive association between formaldehyde exposure and childhood asthma. Given the largely cross-sectional nature of the studies underlying this meta-analysis, further well-designed prospective epidemiologic studies are needed.

Respiratory health and indoor air pollutants based on quantitative exposure assessments

“…The first longitudinal study on the respiratory effects of indoor formaldehyde found a significant positive association between formaldehyde concentration and incidence of asthma diagnosis (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1-2.6, for each formaldehyde increment of 10 mg?m ), but only among non-atopic children [69]. In a recent meta-analysis, McGWIN et al [129] calculated a 17% increase in the risk of asthma (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.01-1.36) for each 10 mg?m -3 unit increase in formaldehyde concentration. Lastly, there is some convincing evidence of an effect of formaldehyde in asthma morbidity, such as respiratory symptoms or lung function [35,106,125,128,[130][131][132].…”

Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde exposure mitigation in US residences: in‐home measurements of ventilation control and source control

“…Recent studies report associations between in-home formaldehyde concentrations and childhood asthma (McGwin et al 2010;Dannemiller et al 2013), and formaldehyde is classified as a human carcinogen (NTP 2011). Formaldehyde concentrations in US residences regularly exceed benchmarks established for health protection (Logue et al 2011).…”

Investigation of Formaldehyde Content in Dairy Products Available in Bangladesh by a Validated High Performance Liquid Chromatographic Method

“…10,11 It causes vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain and larger doses may cause decreased body temperature, shallow respiration, weak irregular pulse and even blindness. 12 It is reported to have the potential effect of significantly mis-folding DNA, RNA and native soluble proteins into insoluble fibrils comprising of cross-ß-sheet and oxidizing proteins with the attendant amyloid fibrillation and increase in acid levels in the blood even if it remains in the human body for only a short time. 13 Inhaled formaldehyde gas is reported to have negative effects on the central nervous system, and these effects may appear in the form of insomnia, lack of concentration, memory loss, loss of appetite, and mode/balance alteration.…”