Effects of formaldehyde on the mucous membranes and lungs. A study of an industrial population
E. P. Horvath Jr, H. Anderson Jr, W. E. Pierce, L. Hanrahan and J. D. Wendlick
Marshfield (Wis) Clinic, Madison.
One hundred nine workers and 254 control subjects were studied to evaluate
the effects of formaldehyde on the mucous membranes and lungs. A modified,
respiratory symptom questionnaire and spirometry were administered to all
study participants before and after their work shift, and formaldehyde
levels were determined for each test subject. Over the course of the
monitored work shift, test subjects demonstrated a dose-dependent excess of
irritant symptoms and a statistically significant decline in certain lung
function parameters. Analysis of test and control subject data combined
revealed a correlation between formaldehyde exposure and these pulmonary
changes. Baseline spirometry values were not significantly different
between test and control groups, and formaldehyde-exposed workers did not
report an excess of respiratory symptoms. Formaldehyde is a dose-dependent
irritant of the eyes and mucous membranes at low-level exposures. It can
exert a small, across-shift effect on airways but after a mean exposure of
ten years does not appear to cause permanent respiratory impairment.
