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formaldehyde

A pungent gas & air pollutant Uses: - used as an antiseptic, disinfectant & fixative in histology (as formalin) - used in major sectors of the economy - preserving bodies in funeral homes - binding particle boards in furniture - serving as a building block in plastic Epidemiology: - virtually everywhere - often poses greatest risk to persons in their homes - leaks from products long after they enter our homes Adverse effects: - causes far more cancers than any other air pollutant - myeloid leukemia specifically cited [4] - exposure to formaldehyde emitted from laminate flooring made in China 2012-2014, sold at Lumber Liquidators, may be associated with increased risk of cancer. 6-30 cases per 100,000 [2] - exposure to formaldehyde, recent or long-term, is associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment involving all cognitive domains (RR~1.2) [3]

Interactions

molecular events

Related

formalin

General

aldehyde preservative

Properties

Database Correlations

PUBCHEM cid=712

References

  1. Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Feb 18, 2016 Statement regarding Formaldehyde in Laminate Flooring Report. http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/laminateflooring/default.html
  3. George J Formaldehyde Exposure Linked to Cognitive Impairment. Healthcare workers represent majority of those exposed in French cohort. MedPage Today December 22, 2021 https://www.medpagetoday.com/neurology/generalneurology/96363 - Letellier N, Gutierrez LA, Pilorget C et al Association Between Occupational Exposure to Formaldehyde and Cognitive Impairment. Neurology. December 22, 2021 PMID: 34937783 https://n.neurology.org/content/early/2021/12/22/WNL.0000000000013146
  4. Lerner S, Shaw A Formaldehyde Causes More Cancer Than Any Other Toxic Air Pollutant. Little is being done to curb the risk. ProPublica via Medscape Today. Dec 4, 2024 https://www.medpagetoday.com/hematologyoncology/othercancers/113208

Component-of

cresol/formaldehyde formaldehyde/methanol