Exposure to formaldehyde: effects of pulmonary function

Journal Article · Wed Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1982 · Arch. Environ. Health; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00039896.1982.10667579· OSTI ID:5739348

Alexandersson, R ^[1]; Kolmodin-Hedman, B; Hedenstierna, G

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1. Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

Forty-seven subjects exposed to formaldehyde (mean air concentration 0.45 mg/m/sup 3/) and 20 unexposed subjects, all of whom were employed at a carpentry shop, were studied with regard to symptoms and pulmonary function. Symptoms involving eyes and throat as well as chest oppression were significantly more common in the exposed subjects than in the unexposed controls. Spirometry and single breath nitrogen washout were normal Monday morning before exposure to formaldehyde. A reduction in forced expiratory volume in 1 sec by an average of 0.2 L (P = .002), percent forced expiratory volume by 2% (P = .04), maximum midexpiratory flow by 0.3 L/sec (P = .04) and an increase in closing volume in percentage of vital capacity by 3.4% (P = .002) were seen after a day of work and exposure to formaldehyde, suggesting bronchoconstriction. Smokers and nonsmokers displayed similar changes in spirometry and nitrogen washout.

• OSTI ID: 5739348
• Journal Information: Arch. Environ. Health; (United States), Vol. 37:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
FORMALDEHYDE
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
HEALTH HAZARDS
LUNGS
SENSITIVITY
BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
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PERSONNEL
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ORGANS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
WASTES
560400* - Other Environmental Pollutant Effects