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306350
Exposure to formaldehyde indoors and relation to asthma-related illness: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Monday, November 17, 2014
: 3:45 PM - 4:00 PM
Barbara S Glenn, MPH, PhD
,
National Center for Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC
Glinda S Cooper, PhD
,
National Center for Environmental Assessment, US EPA, Washington, DC
Thomas Bateson, M.P.H., Sc.D.
,
National Center for Environmental Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC
Formaldehyde exposure is associated with asthma-like symptoms in occupational settings, but does exposure at lower concentrations in residential settings contribute to the current high burden of this respiratory disease? We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of asthma and lung function in humans, focusing on effects from long-term exposures. Our literature search through August 2013 identified 20 studies of asthma or asthma symptoms and 11 studies of lung function in PubMed and Web of Science meeting our inclusion criteria. For the asthma analysis, significant heterogeneity was present in the entire set of studies (p < 0.001). Therefore, the studies were stratified into categories of low exposure (< 0.05 mg/m3), high residential (> 0.051 mg/m3) and high occupational (> 0.1 mg/m3). Risk ratios (95% confidence interval) for these three categories, respectively, were 0.99 (0.93, 1.06), 1.5 (1.04, 2.1) and 6.3 (3.8, 10.6). The studies of lung function reported results as percent of predicted accounting for gender, age and height. These occupational exposures involved time-weighted formaldehyde concentrations of 0.1 – 1.5 mg/m3, primarily involving woodworking or chemical production. Overall, mean differences in lung function (95% confidence interval) between exposed and referent groups were -4.48 percent (-6.88, -2.09) for forced expiratory volume 1 second (FEV1), -4.08 percent (-6.33, -1.82) for forced vital capacity (FVC) and -7.29 percent (-11.75, -2.82) for forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of FVC (FEF25-75). A subset of four studies that accounted for smoking showed similar differences. This meta-analysis suggests that long-term formaldehyde exposure is associated with asthma-like illness and reduced lung function at average levels above 0.05 mg/m3. Susceptible groups (children, allergic individuals) may experience effects at lower concentrations. This abstract does not necessarily reflect EPA policy.
Learning Areas:
Environmental health sciences
Epidemiology
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Describe the exposure settings evaluated in the epidemiology literature on formaldehyde inhalation and effects on respiratory endpoints. List and interpret the components of a forest plot.
Keyword(s): Asthma, Risk Factors/Assesment
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am conducting an assessment of the health effects of inhaled formaldehyde. I conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of respiratory endpoints, including asthma illness and deficits in lung function. I am involved in developing a Center-wide process for conducting and documenting systematic reviews of the health effects of chemical exposure.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
