title: Formaldehyde and leukemia: an updated meta-analysis and evaluation of bias.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Formaldehyde exposures are common, and data linking these exposures to leukemia have been mixed and controversial. The objective of this analysis is to review the current epidemiologic literature on formaldehyde and leukemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed an updated meta-analysis focusing on high-exposure groups and myeloid leukemia and included two large recent studies: one involving >25,000 workers in US formaldehyde industries and the other involving a cohort of >13,000 funeral directors and embalmers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Formaldehyde was associated with increased risks of leukemia (relative risk = 1.53; 95% confidence interval = 1.11 to 2.21; P = 0.005; 14 studies), specifically myeloid leukemia (relative risk = 2.47; 95% confidence interval = 1.42 to 4.27; P = 0.001; 4 studies).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings provide evidence of increased myeloid leukemia risk with exposure to formaldehyde.
authors.affiliation: Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schwilk
authors.forename: Luoping
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Martyn T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Allan H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Steinmaus
mesh_terms: D015982:Bias; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D005557:Formaldehyde