Formaldehyde in drinking water: Comparative hazard evaluation and an approach to regulation

Journal Article · Fri Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0273-2300(90)90023-5· OSTI ID:6612399

Owen, B A; Dudney, C S; Tan, E L; Easterly, C E ^[1]

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1. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TN (USA)

Formaldehyde, a widely used industrial chemical to which humans are ubiquitously exposed, presented cause for concern when it was demonstrated to be carcinogenic in laboratory animals. Risk assessment protocols subsequently applied to formaldehyde are of questionable validity in light of the results of recent mechanistic investigations of biological responses to formaldehyde. Further, the hazard of ingested formaldehyde is not addressed in current assessment protocols. This paper addresses the potential human health risks accompanying low-level exposure to formaldehyde as a contaminant in drinking water. In this exposure scenario, noncarcinogenic risk from inhalation of formaldehyde from drinking water is evaluated through knowledge of the metabolism and biological effects of formaldehyde exposure. Noncarcinogenic risk from ingestion of formaldehyde in drinking water is evaluated from the perspective gained by comparison with dietary sources of formaldehyde. Carcinogenic risk to humans is evaluated in light of recent investigations into the mechanisms underlying biological responses to formaldehyde exposure. Finally, based on a comparison of ingestion of formaldehyde in drinking water with ingestion of naturally occurring formaldehyde in foods, a comparative hazard approach to formaldehyde regulation is offered as a supplement to the rigid evaluation protocols currently used. 54 references.

• OSTI ID: 6612399
• Journal Information: Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology; (USA), Journal Name: Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology; (USA) Vol. 11:3; ISSN 0273-2300; ISSN RTOPD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALDEHYDES
ANIMALS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONTAMINATION
DOCUMENT TYPES
DRINKING WATER
FOOD
FORMALDEHYDE
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INGESTION
INTAKE
MAMMALS
MAN
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
PRIMATES
REVIEWS
RISK ASSESSMENT
STANDARDS
VERTEBRATES
WATER
WATER POLLUTION