An official website of the United States government. OSHA Fact Sheet: Formaldehyde. Formaldehyde and Cancer Risk (Fact Sheet) - Breast, Lung, Brain, Bone Registry (ATSDR). Tax ID Number: 13-1788491. It is also recommended to use exterior-grade pressed-wood products to limit formaldehyde exposure. Washington, DC 20210 200 Constitution Avenue In rats, inhaled formaldehyde has been linked to cancers inside the nose and to leukemia. Please click here to see any active alerts. Has the federal government made recommendations to protect human health? It has been suspected of causing cancer and depression. Lefebvre MA, Meuling WJ, Engel R, et al. The chemical is also used in many building materials and as a preservative in household products. It has a distinct odor, sometimes described as smelling like pickles. Beauty products and cancer: Are you at risk? - MD Anderson Cancer Center See Who We Fund for more information about the work of NIEHS grantees on the topic of formaldehyde. According to a 1997 report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, formaldehyde is normally present in both indoor and outdoor air at low levels, usually less than 0.03 parts of formaldehyde per million parts of air (ppm). Formaldehyde also occurs naturally in the environment. Some people are very sensitive to formaldehyde, whereas others have no reaction to the same level of exposure. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 2003; 95(21):16151623. plywood, particleboard and medium-density, permanent press fabrics, paints and coatings, Preservatives used in some medicines, cosmetics and other consumer products such as dishwashing liquids and fabric softeners; and. The American Cancer Society looks to these organizations to evaluate the risks based on evidence from lab, animal, and human research studies. NIEHS intramural scientists have defined descriptive terms of particular relevance to their own research, and have ranked those terms accordingly. Hauptmann M, Lubin JH, Stewart PA, Hayes RB, Blair A. Mortality from solid cancers among workers in formaldehyde industries. A number of cohort studies involving workers exposed to formaldehyde have recently been completed. Volatile Organic Compounds' Impact on Indoor Air Quality Formaldehyde is also commonly used as a preservative in medical laboratories, mortuaries, and consumer products, including some hair smoothing and straightening products. DMDM hydantoin: Uses, benefits, risks, and more - Medical News Today Formaldehyde does not build up in plants and animals. What has been done to protect workers from formaldehyde? Products that contain formaldehyde can release the chemical as a gas or vapor into the air. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies formaldehyde as a known carcinogen because exposure causes nasal squamous cell carcinomas in rats and the potential for nasopharyngeal cancers in humans. Based on the existing evidence, some national and international agencies have concluded the health risks of formaldehyde, which include: You can reduce exposure to formaldehyde by avoiding products that contain the chemical and not allowing smoking in your home. Once formaldehyde is in the air, it is quickly broken down, usually within hours. Extended follow-up of a cohort of British chemical workers exposed to formaldehyde. American Cancer Society. At present the limit is at 0.75 ppm on average over an 8-hour workday. If you would like to reproduce some or all of this content, see Reuse of NCI Information for guidance about copyright and permissions. During the 1970s, urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) was used in many homes. When formaldehyde is present in the air at levels higher than 0.1 parts per million (ppm), some people may have health effects, such as: Some people are very sensitive to formaldehyde, while others might have no reaction to the same level of exposure. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. The primary way you can be exposed to formaldehyde is by breathing air containing off-gassed formaldehyde. General Information Description Formaldehyde is a nearly colorless gas with a pungent, irritating odor even at very low concentrations (below 1 ppm). How likely is formaldehyde to cause cancer? Materials containing formaldehyde can release it as a gas or vapor into the air. {currentyear} American Cancer Society, Inc. All rights reserved. Studies in humans have shown an association between formaldehyde exposure and cancer of the nasal sinuses and the nasopharynx (the hollow tube connecting the nasal passages to the rest of the respiratory system). IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans Volume 88 (2006): Formaldehyde, 2-Butoxyethanol and 1-tert-Butoxypropan-2-ol. When formaldehyde is present in the air at levels exceeding 0.1 ppm, some individuals may experience adverse effects such as watery eyes; burning sensations in the eyes, nose, and throat; coughing; wheezing; nausea; and skin irritation. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your community or state health or environmental quality department or: For more information, contact: Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. According to the National Cancer Institute's SEER Cancer Statistics Review data, five-year survival rates from 2010-2016 are as follows: ALL, 72.1% CLL, 88.6%, AML, 29.8%, CML, 71.7% National . Mail Code 6609J Formaldehyde | Medical Management Guidelines | Toxic Substance Portal Health Effects: Can exposure to formaldehyde cause cancer? Homes in which UFFI was installed many years ago are not likely to have high formaldehyde levels now. Use air conditioning and dehumidifiers to maintain moderate temperature and reduce humidity levels. Try not to worry too much about formaldehyde exposure that you cant control. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 2009; 101(24):16961708. Breathing air containing low levels of formaldehyde can cause burning and watering eyes. Is there a medical test to show whether I've been exposed to formaldehyde? People can be exposed to formaldehyde by: Enzymes in the body break down formaldehyde into formate (formic acid), which can be further broken down into carbon dioxide. It has been in widespread use for over a century as a disinfectant and preservative agent, and more recently in a number of industrial products. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease The Report on Carcinogens, prepared by the National Toxicology Program, listed formaldehyde as a known human carcinogen in its Report on Carcinogens (2011). This article discusses where formaldehyde comes from, toxicity levels, and the link to cancer. Mortality from lymphohematopoietic malignancies and brain cancer among embalmers exposed to formaldehyde. Formaldehyde - Comprehensive Cancer Information When formaldehyde is released into the air and is present in the air at levels exceeding 0.1 ppm, it can cause serious irritation of your eyes, nose, and lungs. Formaldehyde: Evidence of Carcinogenicity (81-111) | NIOSH | CDC Kun Lu, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, led the study, Evaluation of Inhaled Low Dose Formaldehyde Induced DNA adducts and DNA-protein cross-links by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry, published Jan. 30 in Archives of Toxicology. 2015. Studies looking at possible links between workplace exposure to formaldehyde and other types of cancer have not found a consistent link. What are the short-term health effects of formaldehyde exposure? Summary of Data Reported and Evaluation - Formaldehyde, 2-Butoxyethanol Risks declined steadily over time, such that the cumulative excess risk of myeloid leukemia was no longer statistically significant at the end of the follow-up period. In 1980, laboratory studies showed that exposure to formaldehyde could cause nasal cancer in rats. Formaldehyde and your health. 10903 New Hampshire Avenue Formaldehyde dissolves easily but does not last a long time in water. Pros: Quickly and easily removed with an acetone-based nail polish remover. One type of epidemiologic study is called a cohort study. Its vapors are flammable and explosive. Try to learn as much as you can about the manufacturers products visit the store where you bought the product. Does formaldehyde cause any other health problems? Accessed at https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/content/profiles/formaldehyde.pdf on October 11, 2022. -- AEGLs describe the human health effects to humans from once-in-a-lifetime, or rare, exposure to airborne chemicals. Formaldehyde exposure and leukemia risk: a comprehensive review and How do I know if the wood products I'm buying are safe? But few homes are now insulated with UFFI. 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Since that time, additional cancer studies in humans have been published, and the listing status was changed to known to be a human carcinogen in 2011. What is formaldehyde? Formaldehyde is a common colorless, strong-smelling chemical that is agas at room Accessed at https://publications.iarc.fr/123 on October 11, 2022. A look at the effects of nail polish on nail health and safety nose and throat. J Occup Environ Hyg. Exposure to formaldehyde might increase the chance of getting cancer even at levels too low to cause symptoms. Sources of . Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Formaldehyde and Cancer Risk. Exposure to formaldehyde has been shown to cause cancer in animals. Wang M, Cheng G, Balbo S, et al. Exposure occurs mainly by inhaling formaldehyde gas or vapor from the air or less often by absorbing liquids containing formaldehyde through the skin. Homes in which UFFI was installed many years ago are not likely to have high formaldehyde levels now. Learn how to protect yourself and your family from formaldehyde exposure. ", The USEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)maintains the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), an electronic database that contains information on human health effects from exposure to various substances in the environment. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air and Radiation. US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air and Radiation. They found that formaldehyde exposure at this lower level did not cause detectable levels of exogenous formaldehyde DNA damage, and it also did not alter the levels of endogenous formaldehyde-induced DNA adducts or DNA-protein crosslinks in rats. Beane Freeman L, Blair A, Lubin JH, et al. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies formaldehyde as a Group 1 carcinogen, based on nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia studies. Referrals to patient-related programs or resources, Donations, website, or event-related assistance, Pressed-wood products, such as particleboard, plywood, and fiberboard, Inhaling it (the main way people are exposed), Eating foods or drinking liquids containing formaldehyde, Formaldehyde and other chemicals that release formaldehyde are sometimes used in low concentrations in. Make sure your home is well-ventilated. 21 Since then, inhalation studies have shown that BCME causes lung and nasal cancer in rats. 2004;159:11171130. Again, it is important to know that most e-cigarettes contain nicotine. 170 ROSENAU HALL, CB #7400 | 135 DAUER DRIVE | CHAPEL HILL, NC 275997400, North Carolina Institute for Public Health (NCIPH), Gillings School of Global Public Health Visual Elements, Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility News, Environmental Sciences and Engineering News, Environmental Sciences and Engineering Research, UNC Gillings School plays lead role in new Lancet Commission on Evidence-Based Implementation in Global Health, Pandemic policy changes may have helped sustain access to treatment for opioid use disorder, Weinberger honored with NCs Order of the Long Leaf Pine. IARC has concluded that formaldehyde is "carcinogenic to humans" based on sufficient evidence it can cause nasopharyngeal cancer and leukemia. Formaldehyde levels in homes can also be reduced by ensuring adequate ventilation, moderate temperatures, and reduced humidity levels through the use of air conditioners and dehumidifiers. 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