Short-Term Effects of Formaldehyde on Peak Expiratory Flow and Irritant Symptoms

Kriebel, David; Myers, Daniel J.; Cheng, Ming; Woskie, Susan; Cocanour, Barbara

doi:10.1080/00039890109604049

Cited by 34 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…In allergic people, there is a risk of development of allergic sensitization to inhalant allergens, and symptoms commonly occur [29]. This may explain the more severe reaction of allergenic students in the form of nose and respiratory system related symptoms after FA inhalation, the main route of its exposure [30]. However, it is still unclear whether sensitization and FA-related symptoms are induced by formaldehyde-specific IgE [31, 32].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Formaldehyde-related clinical symptoms reported by medical students during gross anatomy cadaver dissection

Pietrzyk¹,

Torres²,

Denisow-Pietrzyk³

et al. 2016

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Introduction. Formaldehyde is a noxious gas used as a tissue preservative of cadavers in autopsy rooms. Therefore, exposure to higher concentrations applies particularly to laboratory staff, anatomists and medical students. Prolonged exposure to formaldehyde is associated with clinical complications. Objective. To assess whether exposure to repeated inhalation of low concentrations of formaldehyde (FA) experienced during a gross anatomy course triggers subjective clinical symptoms in medical students. Material and methods. All 198 first-year medical students of the Medical University of Lublin, Poland (28% with allergy history and 72% without allergy history; 69% male and 31% female) responded to a questionnaire concerning their subjective FA-related clinical symptoms. Differences in proportions of experienced symptoms between allergic vs. nonallergic, and female vs. males were compared by the Mann-Whitney U test. Results. Even though formaldehyde concentrations in the gross anatomy laboratory were relatively low (0.47-0.57 mg/m 3 ), medical students experienced various reactions (lacrimation in 85.9%, red eyes, dry and itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and headache in > 50% of students, cough in 44%, and dry throat or throat irritation in 42% of students). Among students with a history of allergy, eye, nose, skin and respiratory system symptoms occurred more frequently in comparison to nonallergic students. Female individuals demonstrated higher sensitivity to FA exposure. Conclusions. Exposure to formaldehyde may result in development of clinical symptoms in medical students. Particularly unpleasant symptoms may be experienced by individuals with allergy history. It is necessary to decrease formaldehyde concentrations in the anatomy dissection laboratory. streszczenie Wprowadzenie. Formaldehyd to szkodliwa substancja chemiczna, której wodny roztwór jest powszechnie stosowany jako środek konserwujący w prosektoriach anatomicznych. Osobami szczególnie narażo-nymi na ekspozycję na formaldehyd są studenci medycyny oraz perFormaldehyde-related clinical symptoms reported by medical students during gross anatomy cadaver dissection subiektywne objawy kliniczne u studentów medycyny związane z ekspozycją na formaldehyd podczas zajęć prosektoryjnych z anatomii

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Formaldehyde-related clinical symptoms reported by medical students during gross anatomy cadaver dissection

Pietrzyk¹,

Torres²,

Denisow-Pietrzyk³

et al. 2016

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“…This hypothesis, however, was not supported by the results of a longitudinal study including college students who dissected cadavers in anatomical laboratories. The formaldehyde potency of eye irritation (in addition to nose and throat irritation) diminished during a period of 14 weeks of 2.5 hours of exposure weekly (184). Furthermore, the nasal irritation threshold for nicotine is the same for smokers and nonsmokers, and this similarity indicates that repeated exposure to nicotine does not lower the irritation threshold (185).…”

Section: Gaseous Pollutantsmentioning

confidence: 96%

Eye irritation and environmental factors in the office environment-hypotheses, causes and a physiological model

Wolkoff¹,

Skov²,

Franck³

et al. 2003

Scand J Work Environ Health

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“…FEV 1 ) were normal on the Monday morning before exposure to formaldehyde, but reduced significantly after a day of work and exposure to formaldehyde, suggesting bronchoconstriction 4) . Kriebel et al (2001) in a study on anatomy laboratory students also found that exposure to 1.1ppm of formaldehyde for 2.5 h/wk reduced peak expiratory flow (PEF) by 1% per ppm 5) . Similar results have been reported by Erdem et al in smoking formaldehyde exposed individuals 6) .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Respiratory Morbidity Induced by Occupational Inhalation Exposure to Formaldehyde

2011

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The potential of formaldehyde to produce chronic respiratory tract disease remains a controversial issue. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the respiratory effects, if any, of long term occupational exposure to formaldehyde. This cross-sectional study was carried out at a local melamine-formaldehyde resin producing plant. The study population consisted of seventy exposed and 24 non-exposed (referent) employees. Using respiratory questionnaire, data on respiratory symptoms were gathered. Atmospheric concentrations of formaldehyde were measured at different contaminated areas of the plant. Similarly, the parameters of pulmonary function were measured at the beginning (preshift) and at the end (postshift) of the first working day of the week. The results showed that airborne concentrations of formaldehyde exceeded current permissible levels. Additionally, significant decrements in some preshift and postshift parameters of pulmonary function of exposed workers were noted. However, a relative recovery in lung functional capacity observed following temporary cessation of exposure (preshift values). Furthermore, exposed workers had higher prevalence rates of regular cough, wheezing, phlegm, shortness of breath, chest tightness and episodes of chest illness associated with cold. The findings of this study collectively indicate that exposure to formaldehyde may induce respiratory symptoms, acute partially reversible and chronic irreversible functional impairments of the lungs.

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Short-Term Effects of Formaldehyde on Peak Expiratory Flow and Irritant Symptoms

Cited by 34 publications

References 13 publications

Formaldehyde-related clinical symptoms reported by medical students during gross anatomy cadaver dissection

Formaldehyde-related clinical symptoms reported by medical students during gross anatomy cadaver dissection

Eye irritation and environmental factors in the office environment-hypotheses, causes and a physiological model

Respiratory Morbidity Induced by Occupational Inhalation Exposure to Formaldehyde

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