Respiratory health of plywood workers occupationally exposed to formaldehyde

Journal Article · · Archives of Environmental Health; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00039896.1990.10118748· OSTI ID:5797269

Malaka, T; Kodama, A M ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Hawaii, Honolulu (USA)

This study was undertaken to enlarge our understanding of the adverse health effects of formaldehyde exposure in the workplace and community environment. The respiratory health status of 186 male plywood workers was evaluated by spirometric tests, respiratory questionnaires, and chest x-rays. Area concentrations of formaldehyde were measured in the work environment and found to range from 0.28 to 3.48 ppm. The average personal exposure was 1.13 ppm of formaldehyde. Exposure to formaldehyde was associated with decrements in the baseline spirometric values, i.e., forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV{sub 1.0}), forced expiratory volume/forced vital capacity (FEV/FVC), and FEF{sub 25%-75%}, and with several respiratory symptoms and diseases, including cough, phlegm, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and chest colds. The results of the study support he hypothesis that chronic exposure to formaldehyde induces symptoms and signs of chronic obstructive lung disease.

• OSTI ID: 5797269
• Journal Information: Archives of Environmental Health; (USA), Journal Name: Archives of Environmental Health; (USA) Vol. 45:5; ISSN 0003-9896; ISSN AEHLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540110
550900 -- Pathology
560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALDEHYDES
ANIMALS
FORMALDEHYDE
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INDUSTRY
MAMMALS
MAN
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PRIMATES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
VERTEBRATES
WOOD PRODUCTS INDUSTRY