Effects of Formaldehyde Exposure on Human Body-A Review Article
Isaac Azubuike Utuh
*
Centre for Occupational Health, Safety and Environment, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Ejikeme Ugwoha
Centre for Occupational Health, Safety and Environment, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Formaldehyde, a ubiquitous volatile organic compound, is used extensively in the manufacture of many products and processes across industries, yet little is known of its inherent risks in the occupations. Because of formaldehyde public health significance, many countries and regulatory agencies have issued guidelines, advisories, and regulations for its exposure. These permissible exposure limits are different for different countries and institutions, suggesting that there is currently no global agreement on what comprises safe formaldehyde exposure levels. Formaldehyde has a wide range of chronic toxicity effects affecting different cells, tissues and organs of the body including, but not limited to, neuronal, pulmonary, immunological, haematological, genetic and reproductive and developmental systems. It is also carcinogenic, nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic. Most of the mechanisms through which formaldehyde exerts its toxic effects are not clearly understood. Due to its global economic importance, formaldehyde has clearly come to stay despite its known toxicities. It is proposed that well-designed epidemiologic, in addition to mechanistic and animal studies, need to be carried out to better appreciate the systemic effects of formaldehyde exposure.
Keywords: Formaldehyde exposure, acute, chronic, toxic, volatile organic compound