To study the cytotoxic effect of formaldehyde on the human nasal mucosa 75 men with occupational exposure to formaldehyde or to formaldehyde and wood dust, were examined, looking particularly at early signs of irritative effects and histopathological changes in the nasal mucosa. All men underwent a medical examination and a nasal biopsy specimen was examined by a pathologist and graded from 0-8...

This is part of a series of review articles on formaldehyde-releasers and their relationship to formaldehyde contact allergy. Formaldehyde-releasers used in metalworking fluids (MWF) and a group of releasers not presented in previous articles are discussed. Here, in Part 1 of the article, there is a short overview of the composition and functions of MWF, the function of biocides in them, and ad...

This is one of a series of review articles on formaldehyde-releasers and their relationship to formaldehyde contact allergy and in this paper formaldehyde-releasers used as durable press chemical finishes (DPCF) in textiles are discussed. The literature on allergy to DPCF since 1980 is presented in two parts. Part 1 (this article) presents a short historical overview of the problems with formal...

Class III alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH3), also termed formaldehyde dehydrogenase or S-nitrosoglutathione reductase, plays a critical role in the enzymatic oxidation of formaldehyde and reduction of nitrosothiols that regulate bronchial tone. Considering reported associations between formaldehyde vapor exposure and childhood asthma risk, and thus potential involvement of ADH3, we reviewed the onto...

Simultaneous formaldehyde biodegradation and denitrification in batch assays and in a continuous lab-scale reactor were studied. In batch assays, initial biodegradation rates between 0.7 and 3.3 g CKH2O g VSS(-1) d(-1) were obtained at formaldehyde concentrations between 300 and 2150 mg l(-1). The denitrification process was affected by the presence of formaldehyde. The nitrite accumulation inc...

The formation of formaldehyde from phenylacetaldehyde and phenylalanine, and the contribution of both formaldehyde and ammonia to the production of PhIP from phenylacetaldehyde and creatinine were studied in an attempt to clarify the reaction pathways that produce PhIP. Formaldehyde was produced by thermal degradation of phenylacetaldehyde and, to a lesser extent, also by degradation of phenyla...

This paper reports the irritant effects associated with formaldehyde exposures in mobile homes. Week-long, integrated formaldehyde concentrations were measured using passive monitors in summer and winter while the mobile home residents continued their normal activities. Information on acute health problems, chronic respiratory/allergic illnesses, smoking behavior, demographic variables, and tim...

Most organisms are exposed to the genotoxic chemical formaldehyde, either from endogenous or environmental sources. Therefore, biology has evolved systems to perceive and detoxify formaldehyde. The frmRA(B) operon that is present in many bacteria represents one such system. The FrmR protein is a transcriptional repressor that is specifically inactivated in the presence of formaldehyde, permitti...

Toxicological analyses of medicines and chemicals in formaldehyde-treated specimens are a component of forensic toxicology. This review involves two parts: (i) reactions of formaldehyde with substances in tissues fixed with formalin (aqueous formaldehyde solution) and (ii) the stability of substances in formalin-treated tissues and formalin solutions. Because it was well known that formaldehyde...

“I am indebted to Dr. (now Professor Sir Robert) Williams for bringing me into the team [The (British) PHLS Committee on Formaldehyde Disinfection] which investigated the use of formaldehyde for disinfecting fabrics. He gave me the job of finding a nontoxic neutralizing agent with which to treat infected fabric after exposure to formaldehyde vapour, in order that the bacterial viability results...