Occupational laryngitis caused by formaldehyde: a case report.
Formaldehyde is commonly accepted to be an allergen and irritant. However, specifically diagnosed occupational respiratory diseases caused by formaldehyde are relatively rare. Occupational laryngitis was diagnosed in a 47-year-old dairy foreman. He had been exposed for 9 years to formaldehyde emitted from a milk-packing machine situated underneath his office. His exposure level varied considerably. Under normal process conditions, the measured formaldehyde level was 0.03 mg/m3. The patient was examined by different specialists over 1 1/2 years. It was concluded that he had psychogenic dysphonia. However, a specific laryngeal provocation test with formaldehyde carried out at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health was positive. His laryngitis was so serious that he was pensioned. During the 3 years of follow-up his condition gradually worsened. He now reacts especially to tobacco smoke and other air impurities known to contain formaldehyde.
Roto
P
P
Tampere Regional Institute of Occupational Health, Finland.
Sala
E
E
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003612:Dairying / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007827:Laryngitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D005557:Formaldehyde