Pulmonary function in wood workers exposed to formaldehyde: A prospective study

Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Environmental Research; (USA)

OSTI ID:5128389

Alexandersson, R; Hedenstierna, G ^[1]

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1. Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, (Sweden)

Employees exposed to formaldehyde in the woodworking industry (N = 47) and nonexposed control subjects (N = 20) were examined in 1980 by spirometry and the nitrogen washout technique. A transient impairment of lung function was noted over a work shift. Five years later, 21 subjects were still experiencing exposure to formaldehyde. A transient decrease in lung function was again found over a work shift, as evidenced by a reduction in forced mid-expiratory flow (FEF{sub 25-75}) of 0,15 l/s and an increase in closing volume (CV%) of 3.0% in nonsmokers. Significant decreases in forced expired volume in 1 s as a percent of forced vital capacity (FEV{sup 1.0}/FVC) and FEF{sub 25-75} were also noted over the 5 y in nonsmokers (0,4% and 0,2 l {center dot} s/y, respectively, after correction for normal aging). After 4 wk of no exposure (holidays), FEF{sub 25-75} and forced expired vital capacity (FVC, FEV{sub 1.0}) returned to normal in the smoking group. Lung function in smokers improved less during the holiday. A dose-response relationship was found between exposure to formaldehyde and decrease in lung function. Thus, industrial exposure to formaldehyde causes transient lung function impairment over a work shift, with a cumulative effect over the years. The impairment, however, can be reversed with 4 wk of no exposure.

• OSTI ID: 5128389
• Journal Information: Environmental Research; (USA), Journal Name: Environmental Research; (USA) Vol. 47:1; ISSN ENVRA; ISSN 0013-9351
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AEROSOLS
AIR POLLUTION
ALDEHYDES
BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS
BODY
CHRONIC EXPOSURE
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
FORMALDEHYDE
FUNCTIONS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
LUNGS
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
POLLUTION
RESIDUES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
SMOKES
SOLS
TOBACCO SMOKES
WORKING CONDITIONS