Pulmonary function in wood workers exposed to formaldehyde: a prospective study.
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 (FEF25-75) 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 (FEV1.0/FVC) and FEF25-75 were also noted over the 5 y in nonsmokers (0.4% and 0.2 l.s/y, respectively, after correction for normal aging). After 4 wk of no exposure (holidays), FEF25-75 and forced expired vital capacity (FVC, FEV1.0) 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.
Alexandersson
R
R
Department of Occupational Medicine, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Hedenstierna
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000187:drug effects*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013147:Spirometry; D014934:Wood
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D005557:Formaldehyde; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D009584:Nitrogen