Formaldehyde - An Assessment of its Health Effects.
Abstract
This document is an evaluation of the effects of formaldehyde on animals, humans, and in in vitro tests, with emphasis on health risks of exposure to airborne formaldehyde at low concentrations. Consumers have complained of eye and upper respiratory tract irritation, headaches, drowsiness, and gastrointestinal disturbances, apparently caused by offgassing of formaldehyde from urea-formaldehyde foam insulation, particle board, or plywood. Airborne concentrations of formaldehyde in homes have been reported to range from 0.01 to 31.7 ppm. An ongoing lifetime in rodent indicated there may be a carcinogenic effect of exposure to formaldehyde. A high incidence of squamous cell carcinoma in the nasomaxillary epithelium was reported in rats exposed at 15 ppm. Irritation appears to be the most sensitive response to formaldehyde. However, identification of the toxicologic reaction of greatest concern will have to await the conclusion of ongoing and planned studies. A range of irritation responses associated with exposure to various concentrations of formaldehyde was provided, but there was no evidence of a population threshold for formaldehyde's irritant effects. The Committee recommended that formaldehyde be kept at the lowest practical concentration to minimize adverse effects on public health. Several factors were suggested for consideration in the selection of such a concentration and research needs were identified. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA087854