Formaldehyde and Cancer: Questions and Answers Key Points
Keep in mind that this dangerous substance is still in 60-70% of cleaning products that people take home every day.
Also keep in mind Womens Dream Teams Products contain no formaldehyde or formaldehyde by-products.
Has anyone thought to ask our government why?
Formaldehyde and Cancer:
Questions and Answers Key Points
1.)
Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable, strong-smelling gas that is
used to manufacture building materials and produce many household
products (see Question 1).
2.) Formaldehyde sources in the home include pressed wood products, cigarette smoke, and fuel-burning appliances (see Question 2).
3.) When exposed to formaldehyde, some individuals may experience various short-term health effects (see Question 3).
4.) Formaldehyde
has been classified as a human carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) by
the International Agency for Research on Cancer and as a probable human
carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (see Question
4).
5.) Research
studies of workers exposed to formaldehyde have suggested an
association between formaldehyde exposure and cancers of the nasal
sinuses, nasopharynx, and brain, and possibly leukemia (see Question 5).
1. What is formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable, strong-smelling gas. It is an
important industrial chemical used to manufacture building materials
and to produce many household products.
It is used in pressed
wood products such as particleboard, plywood, and fiberboard, glues and
adhesives, permanent press fabrics, paper product coatings, and certain
insulation materials. In addition, formaldehyde is commonly used as an
industrial fungicide, germicide, and disinfectant, and as a
preservative in mortuaries and medical laboratories.
2. How is the general population exposed to formaldehyde?
According to a 1997 report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission, formaldehyde is normally present in both indoor and outdoor
air at low levels, usually less than 0.03 parts of formaldehyde per
million parts of air (ppm).
Materials containing formaldehyde
can release formaldehyde gas or vapor into the air. Formaldehyde can
also be released by burning wood, kerosene, natural gas, or cigarettes;
through automobile emissions; or from natural processes.
During the 1970s, urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) was used in
many homes. However, few homes are now insulated with UFFI. Homes in
which UFFI was installed many years ago are not likely to have high
formaldehyde levels now.
Pressed wood products containing
formaldehyde resins are often a significant source of formaldehyde in
homes. Other potential indoor sources of formaldehyde include cigarette
smoke and the use of unvented, fuel-burning appliances such as gas
stoves, wood-burning stoves, and kerosene heaters.
Industrial
workers who produce formaldehyde or formaldehyde-containing products,
laboratory technicians, health care professionals, and mortuary
employees may be exposed to higher levels of formaldehyde than the
general public.
Exposure occurs primarily by inhaling
formaldehyde gas or vapor from the air or by absorbing liquids
containing formaldehyde through the skin.
3. What are the short-term health effects of formaldehyde exposure?
When formaldehyde is present in the air at levels exceeding 0.1 ppm,
some individuals may experience health effects such as watery eyes;
burning sensations of the eyes, nose, and throat; coughing; wheezing;
nausea; and skin irritation. Some people are very sensitive to
formaldehyde, while others have no reaction to the same level of
exposure.
4. Can formaldehyde cause cancer?
Although the short-term health effects of formaldehyde exposure are
well known, less is known about its potential long-term health effects.
In 1980, laboratory studies showed that exposure to formaldehyde could
cause nasal cancer in rats.
This finding raised the question
of whether formaldehyde exposure could also cause cancer in humans. In
1987, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classified
formaldehyde as a probable human carcinogen under conditions of
unusually high or prolonged exposure (1).
Since that time,
some studies of industrial workers have suggested that formaldehyde
exposure is associated with nasal cancer and nasopharyngeal cancer, and
possibly with leukemia. In 1995, the International Agency for Research
on Cancer (IARC) concluded that formaldehyde is a probable human
carcinogen.
However, in a reevaluation of existing data in June 2004, the IARC reclassified formaldehyde as a known human carcinogen (2).
5. What have scientists learned about the relationship between formaldehyde and cancer?
Since 1980, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has conducted studies
to determine whether there is an association between occupational
exposure to formaldehyde and an increase in the risk of cancer.
The results of this research have provided the EPA and the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) with information to evaluate
the potential health effects of workplace exposure to formaldehyde.
Long-term effects of formaldehyde have been evaluated in
epidemiological studies (studies that attempt to uncover the patterns
and causes of disease in groups of people).
One type of study,
called a cohort study, looks at populations that have different
exposures to a particular factor, such as formaldehyde.
A
cohort is a group of people who are followed over time to see whether a
disease develops. Another kind of study, a case-control study, begins
with people diagnosed as having a disease (cases) and compares them to
people without the disease (controls).
Several NCI studies
have found that anatomists and embalmers, professions with potential
exposure to formaldehyde, are at an increased risk for leukemia and
brain cancer compared with the general population.
In 2003, a
number of cohort studies were completed among workers exposed to
formaldehyde. One study, conducted by the NCI, analyzed 25,619 workers
in formaldehyde industries and estimated each workerâ€--s exposure to
formaldehyde while at work (3).
The analysis found an
increased risk of death due to leukemia, particularly myeloid leukemia,
among the workers exposed to formaldehyde. This risk was associated
with increasing peak and average levels of exposure and the duration of
exposure, but not cumulative exposure.
Another study of 14,014
textile workers performed by the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH) also found an association between the
duration of exposure to formaldehyde and leukemia deaths.
However, an additional cohort study of 11,039 British industry workers
found no association between cumulative formaldehyde exposure and
leukemia deaths.
Formaldehyde undergoes rapid chemical changes
immediately after absorption. Therefore, some scientists think effects
of formaldehyde at sites other than the upper respiratory tract are
unlikely.
However, some laboratory studies suggest that
formaldehyde may affect the lymphatic and blood systems. Based on both
the epidemiologic data from cohort studies and the experimental data
from laboratory research, NCI investigators have concluded that
exposure to formaldehyde may cause leukemia, particularly myeloid
leukemia, in humans..
Several case-control studies and cohort
studies, including analysis of the large NCI cohort, have reported an
association between formaldehyde exposure and nasopharyngeal cancer,
although others have not. Data from extended follow-up of the NCI study
found that the excess of nasopharyngeal cancer observed in the earlier
report persisted (4).
Earlier analysis of the NCI cohort found
increased lung cancer deaths among industrial workers compared with the
general U.S. population. However, the rate of lung cancer deaths did
not increase with higher levels of formaldehyde exposure. This
observation led the researchers to conclude that factors other than
formaldehyde exposure might have caused their increased deaths.
New data on lung cancer from the extended follow-up did not find any
relationship between formaldehyde exposure and lung cancer mortality.
6. What has been done to protect workers from formaldehyde?
In 1987, OSHA passed a law that reduced the amount of formaldehyde to
which workers can be exposed over an 8-hour work day from 3 ppm to 1
ppm. In May 1992, the law was amended, and the formaldehyde exposure
limit was further reduced to 0.75 ppm.
7. How can people limit formaldehyde exposure in their homes?
The EPA recommends the use of â€..exterior-grade†pressed wood
products to limit formaldehyde exposure in the home. Before purchasing
pressed wood products, including building materials, cabinetry, and
furniture, buyers should ask about the formaldehyde content of these
products.
Formaldehyde levels in homes can also be reduced
by ensuring adequate ventilation, moderate temperatures, and reduced
humidity levels through the use of air conditioners and dehumidifiers.
8. Where can people find more information about formaldehyde?
The following organizations can provide additional resources that readers may find helpful:
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has information about household products that contain formaldehyde.
The CPSC can be contacted at:
Address:
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
4330 East-West Highway
Bethesda , MD 20814-4408
Telephone: 1-800-638-2772
TTY: 1-800-638-8270
Web site: http://www.cpsc.gov
Also keep in mind Womens Dream Teams Products contain no formaldehyde or formaldehyde by-products.
Has anyone thought to ask our government why?
Formaldehyde and Cancer:
Questions and Answers Key Points
1.)
Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable, strong-smelling gas that is
used to manufacture building materials and produce many household
products (see Question 1).
2.) Formaldehyde sources in the home include pressed wood products, cigarette smoke, and fuel-burning appliances (see Question 2).
3.) When exposed to formaldehyde, some individuals may experience various short-term health effects (see Question 3).
4.) Formaldehyde
has been classified as a human carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) by
the International Agency for Research on Cancer and as a probable human
carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (see Question
4).
5.) Research
studies of workers exposed to formaldehyde have suggested an
association between formaldehyde exposure and cancers of the nasal
sinuses, nasopharynx, and brain, and possibly leukemia (see Question 5).
1. What is formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable, strong-smelling gas. It is an
important industrial chemical used to manufacture building materials
and to produce many household products.
It is used in pressed
wood products such as particleboard, plywood, and fiberboard, glues and
adhesives, permanent press fabrics, paper product coatings, and certain
insulation materials. In addition, formaldehyde is commonly used as an
industrial fungicide, germicide, and disinfectant, and as a
preservative in mortuaries and medical laboratories.
2. How is the general population exposed to formaldehyde?
According to a 1997 report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission, formaldehyde is normally present in both indoor and outdoor
air at low levels, usually less than 0.03 parts of formaldehyde per
million parts of air (ppm).
Materials containing formaldehyde
can release formaldehyde gas or vapor into the air. Formaldehyde can
also be released by burning wood, kerosene, natural gas, or cigarettes;
through automobile emissions; or from natural processes.
During the 1970s, urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) was used in
many homes. However, few homes are now insulated with UFFI. Homes in
which UFFI was installed many years ago are not likely to have high
formaldehyde levels now.
Pressed wood products containing
formaldehyde resins are often a significant source of formaldehyde in
homes. Other potential indoor sources of formaldehyde include cigarette
smoke and the use of unvented, fuel-burning appliances such as gas
stoves, wood-burning stoves, and kerosene heaters.
Industrial
workers who produce formaldehyde or formaldehyde-containing products,
laboratory technicians, health care professionals, and mortuary
employees may be exposed to higher levels of formaldehyde than the
general public.
Exposure occurs primarily by inhaling
formaldehyde gas or vapor from the air or by absorbing liquids
containing formaldehyde through the skin.
3. What are the short-term health effects of formaldehyde exposure?
When formaldehyde is present in the air at levels exceeding 0.1 ppm,
some individuals may experience health effects such as watery eyes;
burning sensations of the eyes, nose, and throat; coughing; wheezing;
nausea; and skin irritation. Some people are very sensitive to
formaldehyde, while others have no reaction to the same level of
exposure.
4. Can formaldehyde cause cancer?
Although the short-term health effects of formaldehyde exposure are
well known, less is known about its potential long-term health effects.
In 1980, laboratory studies showed that exposure to formaldehyde could
cause nasal cancer in rats.
This finding raised the question
of whether formaldehyde exposure could also cause cancer in humans. In
1987, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classified
formaldehyde as a probable human carcinogen under conditions of
unusually high or prolonged exposure (1).
Since that time,
some studies of industrial workers have suggested that formaldehyde
exposure is associated with nasal cancer and nasopharyngeal cancer, and
possibly with leukemia. In 1995, the International Agency for Research
on Cancer (IARC) concluded that formaldehyde is a probable human
carcinogen.
However, in a reevaluation of existing data in June 2004, the IARC reclassified formaldehyde as a known human carcinogen (2).
5. What have scientists learned about the relationship between formaldehyde and cancer?
Since 1980, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has conducted studies
to determine whether there is an association between occupational
exposure to formaldehyde and an increase in the risk of cancer.
The results of this research have provided the EPA and the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) with information to evaluate
the potential health effects of workplace exposure to formaldehyde.
Long-term effects of formaldehyde have been evaluated in
epidemiological studies (studies that attempt to uncover the patterns
and causes of disease in groups of people).
One type of study,
called a cohort study, looks at populations that have different
exposures to a particular factor, such as formaldehyde.
A
cohort is a group of people who are followed over time to see whether a
disease develops. Another kind of study, a case-control study, begins
with people diagnosed as having a disease (cases) and compares them to
people without the disease (controls).
Several NCI studies
have found that anatomists and embalmers, professions with potential
exposure to formaldehyde, are at an increased risk for leukemia and
brain cancer compared with the general population.
In 2003, a
number of cohort studies were completed among workers exposed to
formaldehyde. One study, conducted by the NCI, analyzed 25,619 workers
in formaldehyde industries and estimated each workerâ€--s exposure to
formaldehyde while at work (3).
The analysis found an
increased risk of death due to leukemia, particularly myeloid leukemia,
among the workers exposed to formaldehyde. This risk was associated
with increasing peak and average levels of exposure and the duration of
exposure, but not cumulative exposure.
Another study of 14,014
textile workers performed by the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH) also found an association between the
duration of exposure to formaldehyde and leukemia deaths.
However, an additional cohort study of 11,039 British industry workers
found no association between cumulative formaldehyde exposure and
leukemia deaths.
Formaldehyde undergoes rapid chemical changes
immediately after absorption. Therefore, some scientists think effects
of formaldehyde at sites other than the upper respiratory tract are
unlikely.
However, some laboratory studies suggest that
formaldehyde may affect the lymphatic and blood systems. Based on both
the epidemiologic data from cohort studies and the experimental data
from laboratory research, NCI investigators have concluded that
exposure to formaldehyde may cause leukemia, particularly myeloid
leukemia, in humans..
Several case-control studies and cohort
studies, including analysis of the large NCI cohort, have reported an
association between formaldehyde exposure and nasopharyngeal cancer,
although others have not. Data from extended follow-up of the NCI study
found that the excess of nasopharyngeal cancer observed in the earlier
report persisted (4).
Earlier analysis of the NCI cohort found
increased lung cancer deaths among industrial workers compared with the
general U.S. population. However, the rate of lung cancer deaths did
not increase with higher levels of formaldehyde exposure. This
observation led the researchers to conclude that factors other than
formaldehyde exposure might have caused their increased deaths.
New data on lung cancer from the extended follow-up did not find any
relationship between formaldehyde exposure and lung cancer mortality.
6. What has been done to protect workers from formaldehyde?
In 1987, OSHA passed a law that reduced the amount of formaldehyde to
which workers can be exposed over an 8-hour work day from 3 ppm to 1
ppm. In May 1992, the law was amended, and the formaldehyde exposure
limit was further reduced to 0.75 ppm.
7. How can people limit formaldehyde exposure in their homes?
The EPA recommends the use of â€..exterior-grade†pressed wood
products to limit formaldehyde exposure in the home. Before purchasing
pressed wood products, including building materials, cabinetry, and
furniture, buyers should ask about the formaldehyde content of these
products.
Formaldehyde levels in homes can also be reduced
by ensuring adequate ventilation, moderate temperatures, and reduced
humidity levels through the use of air conditioners and dehumidifiers.
8. Where can people find more information about formaldehyde?
The following organizations can provide additional resources that readers may find helpful:
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has information about household products that contain formaldehyde.
The CPSC can be contacted at:
Address:
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
4330 East-West Highway
Bethesda , MD 20814-4408
Telephone: 1-800-638-2772
TTY: 1-800-638-8270
Web site: http://www.cpsc.gov
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