Critical review and synthesis of the epidemiologic evidence on formaldehyde exposure and risk of leukemia and other lymphohematopoietic malignancies

Checkoway, H; Boffetta, P; Mundt, DJ; Mundt, KA

HERO ID

1579025

Reference Type

Journal Article

Subtype

Review

Year

2012

Language

English

PMID

22983399

HERO ID 1579025
Material Type Review
In Press No
Year 2012
Title Critical review and synthesis of the epidemiologic evidence on formaldehyde exposure and risk of leukemia and other lymphohematopoietic malignancies
Authors Checkoway, H; Boffetta, P; Mundt, DJ; Mundt, KA
Journal Cancer Causes and Control
Volume 23
Issue 11
Page Numbers 1747-1766
Abstract <strong>PURPOSE: </strong>Recent epidemiologic studies indicate elevated risks for some lymphohematopoietic malignancies (LHM) related to formaldehyde exposure. We performed a systematic review of literature to assess the strength and consistency of associations.<br /><br /><strong>METHODS: </strong>We summarized published literature in the PubMed database of the National Library of Medicine during 1966-2012. Literature was categorized according to study design and population: industrial cohort studies, professional cohort studies, and population-based case-control studies.<br /><br /><strong>RESULTS: </strong>Findings from occupational cohort and population-based case-control studies were very inconsistent for LHM, including myeloid leukemia. Apart from some isolated exceptions, relative risks were close to the null, and there was little evidence for dose-response relations for any of the LHM.<br /><br /><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>At present, there is no consistent or strong epidemiologic evidence that formaldehyde is causally related to any of the LHM. The absence of established toxicological mechanisms further weakens any arguments for causation. To be informative, future epidemiologic research should improve on formaldehyde exposure assessment and apply modern diagnostic schemes for specific LHM.
Doi 10.1007/s10552-012-0055-2
Pmid 22983399
Wosid WOS:000309671300001
Url <Go to ISI>://WOS:000309671300001
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Source: Web of Science WOS:000309671300001
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Formaldehyde; Leukemia; Lymphoma; Lymphohematopoietic malignancies; Epidemiologic review; Causation