Formaldehyde exposure during pregnancy.
BACKGROUND
Pregnancy is a particularly vulnerable time for exposure to indoor air pollutants, such as formaldehyde (FA), which is linked to spontaneous abortion, congenital malformations, and premature birth.


OBJECTIVE
To determine personal exposure to FA during pregnancy, and to identify the relationship between FA exposure levels and potential residential sources of FA.


METHODS
The study sample consisted of 140 pregnant women recruited from obstetrical clinics in Huntsville, Alabama. Formaldehyde exposure was measured by FA vapor monitor badges. Questionnaires were administered to participants to identify potential residential sources of FA. Urine cotinine, a surrogate for tobacco smoke exposure, was also used as an indicator of a possible source of residential exposure to FA.


RESULTS
The mean level of FA exposure by vapor monitor badge was 0.04 parts per million (ppm) (SD = 0.06; range 0.003-0.54 ppm). Minimum risk levels of 0.03 and higher were found in 36.4% of participants. Exposure levels of FA were higher in spring than winter (p < 0.001). Exposure levels of FA were correlated with indoor temperature of dwellings (p < 0.02), installation of new carpet within last 5 years (p < 0.04), and use of nail polish (p < 0.01). No relationship was found between FA exposure and urine cotinine levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Formaldehyde exposure may increase at various times in the lives of women; however, it is of particular concern during pregnancy because of perinatal risk to the exposed fetus.
Azita Amiri is an Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL. She can be reached via e-mail at azita.amiri@uah.edu Erica Pryor is an Associate Professor, School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. Marti Rice is a Professor, School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. Charles A. Downs is an Assistant Professor, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA. Anne Turner-Henson is a Professor, School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. Michelle V. Fanucchi is an Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.
Azita
A
Amiri
Erica
E
Pryor
Marti
M
Rice
Charles A
CA
Downs
Anne
A
Turner-Henson
Michelle V
MV
Fanucchi
D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000517:prevention & control; D000407:Alabama; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009773:Obstetric Nursing; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult
D000393:Air Pollutants; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D005557:Formaldehyde