title: Pulmonary function in persons who are professionally exposed to formaldehyde fumes.
abstract: The present study examines long-term effects of occupational exposure to formaldehyde fumes on lung function. Forced spirometry and diffusing lung capacity were measured in 16 health-service professionals (8 medical doctors and 8 laboratory technicians) working at the pathoanatomic laboratory for at least 4 years with daily exposure 8 +/- 1 hours. Control group employed 16 males, which were matched by age and stature to members of the exposed group. Only non-smokers were included in the study. Spirometric parameters in study participants exposed to formaldehyde fumes compared to control group were not significantly different indicating absence of restrictive and/or obstructive deterioration of lung function in exposed group. The only parameter differing in two groups was blood volume of pulmonary capillaries (Vc') which was significantly larger in a group exposed to formaldehyde fumes. The possibility that the hyperemic lung reaction is the consequence of the exposure to formaldehyde fumes should be further explored.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: Ljerka
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ostojić
authors.forename: Anteo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bradarić
authors.forename: Kornelija
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mise
authors.forename: Zdenko
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ostojić
authors.forename: Jasna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lovrić
authors.forename: Pavao
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Petrović
authors.forename: Ante
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ujević
authors.forename: Marko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Erceg
authors.forename: Stipan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Janković
authors.forename: Jadranka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tocilj
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005404:Fixatives / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects*; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D013147:Spirometry
chemical_list: D005404:Fixatives; D005557:Formaldehyde