Formaldehyde
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Super Categories
Subcategories
None
Known Synonyms
Carbonless copy paper
Formaldahyde
FORMALDEIDE
formalin
Formaydehyde
formol
PHORMALDEHYDE
Formaldehyde is a relatively uncommon cause of occupational asthma considering its widespread use. Between 1989 and 2010 Shield has 32 entries where formaldehyde is the most likely cause of occupational asthma. Much of the literature relates to passive exposure from indoor air where formaldehyde resins have been used in building construction. There are no cases of asthma reported with positive challenge tests in this situation. Formaldehyde is a human carcinogen requiring exposures to be kept as low as reasonably practical and definitely below the maximal allowable concentration (MAC).
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Formaldehyde
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Other Names
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Formol
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Sources of Exposure
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Formaldehyde solution, formaldehyde containing resins (urea formaldehyde, phenol formaldehyde and melomine formaldehyde), foam insulation (for cavity walls) (Formaldehyde, 2-Butoxyethanol and 1-tert-Butoxypropan-2-ol). |
| Jobs |
Histopathology labs, embalming, disinfection, wood product manufacture, paper milling, textile milling, foundries (core making)
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Epidemiological Studies
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| Air Measurements |
UK 2ppm MAC, lower in much of europe.
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| Specific IgE/ Skin prick test |
IgE to formaldehyde / HSA have been described but are generally unhelpful. Skin testing not available.
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| Biological Monitoring |
Formate has been measured in urine but not found to be informative (Monitoring of formic acid in urine of humans exposed to low levels of formaldehyde).
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| Specific Challenge |
1% formaldehyde painted in a challenge chamber for 30 minutes gave 2.3mg/m3, 10% formaldehyde 4.8mg/m3 (Occupational asthma due to formaldehyde). |
Early References
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The practice of Allergy, Bronchial asthma and asthmatic bronchitis determined by simple chemicals |
Substitutes
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Oasys Notifications for Formaldehyde
The Oasys Audit scheme started midway through 2010 and collects agents typed in through the Oasys program. The years before 2010 show old data entered during 2010 or later and are likely to have many fewer notifications. We expect Oasys to become more widely adopted as time goes by so increasing notifications does not necessarily mean an increasing problem.
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Selected References for Formaldehyde
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