Scientists from the National Cancer Institute studied over 25,000 workers with occupational exposures to formaldehyde. The study indicated that formaldehyde exposure increased risk of myeloid leukemia. Other types of leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, and multiple myeloma may also be increased with formaldehyde exposure.
The highest risk of myeloid leukemia occurred less than 20 years after exposure. That pattern is consistent with the relatively short latency that is typically seen with leukemia.
Many individuals are exposed to formaldehyde in their homes. Our research indicates that modern, well-sealed homes tend to concentrate formaldehyde in room air. Many new homes have more formaldehyde than the average (77 ppb) in the Katrina FEMA trailers.
Immediate symptoms of formaldehyde exposure are respiratory irritation and asthma. However, any exposure to a carcinogen increases risk of cancer.
Homeowners can reduce their exposure to formaldehyde by carefully selecting building materials, furniture, and personal items to be low in formaldehyde. Many pressed wood products emit substantial amounts of formaldehyde.
Formaldehyde concentration in a home is associated with temperature and humidity. An increase of 10°F will double the formaldehyde concentration in a home. Humidity will also increase formaldehyde emitted from pressed wood products.
Ventilating a home will reduce formaldehyde concentration, but it will not eliminate the exposure. The best way to reduce formaldehyde exposure is to remove the sources. Testing is the only way to be certain control measures are effective.
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The study states that the increase in illness was associated with a peak exposure of >4ppm. When chronic exposures, with peak exposure up to 2ppm (25 times that of the Katrina trailers), were compared the authors state "There was little evidence of association for any lymphohematopoietic malignancy with average intensity or cumulative exposure at the end of follow-up in 2004." This finding implies that constant low level exposure, such as that in homes, does not pose an increased risk of leukemia.
At the time of the release of this study, the Formaldehyde Council vigorously challenged its findings. Please see the blog Formaldehyde Facts for more. In addition, it's important to note that FCI asked a consultant to analyze Ms. Kincaid's work in testing formaldehyde in indoor air in Bay Area homes and found multiple methodological errors that compromised the results. That report, by industrial hygienist Larry Newton, can also be found at the Formaldehyde Facts blog.
It's also important to note that despite being challenged by FCI, Ms. Kincaid has refused to answer the charges outlined in Mr. Newton's paper.
There is a story recently about a little girl in Wiggins, MS who got leukemia after living in the FEMA housing high in formaldehyde. Several other people I've worked with have gotten leukemia from staying in travel trailers. The Formaldehyde Council continues to press for the right to poison people in the name of corporate profits, and has spent literally millions to buy scientists to "review" these studies showing formaldehyde causes illness. It is no surprise that they find the kind of "errors" that the Formaldehyde Council accuses Ms. Kincaid of.
Formaldehyde is poison in the concentrations found in many homes. It should be eliminated from building materials in favor of safer alternatives.
Becky Gillette, Formaldehyde Campaign Director, Sierra Club
To address the concerns raised by the Formaldehyde Council, the questions presented by Mr. Newton would indicate that he did not read my articles prior to writing his critique.
However, Mr. Newton raised some very valid concerns about the lack of fresh air in new homes. See: "Formaldehyde Council recommends "bake-out" of new homes"
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