FORMALDEHYDE EXPOSURE AT THE WORKPLACE AND IN THE ENVIRONMENT

Formaldehyde (GAS RN 50-00-0) is a simple, commonly occurring chemical and a frequent contact allergen. Studies on exposure to formaldehyde in patients with contact dermatitis and sensitivity to formaldehyde sh owed that both products containing formaldehyde and formaldehyde relea sing preservatives were frequent sources of formaldehyde exposure. In a survey on hazardous chemicals in Danish industry formaldehyde was mo stly consumed in the industry group ''manufacture of non-metallic mine ral products'' followed by ''manufacture of fabricated metal products' '. The industry groups with the highest estimated numbers of exposure events causing contact with formaldehyde were ''personal services, cle aning, and hair dressing'', ''manufacture of fabricated metal products '', ''painters and carpenters''. In studies on contact allergens in ch emical products using the Danish Product Register Database (PROBAS) fo rmal dehyde was most frequently registered in paints/lacquers followed by binders (polymers) and cleaning agents. The most frequent product categories registered with formaldehyde-releasers were cleaning agents , soap, shampoo, paints/lacquers and metal working fluids. In a study on cleaning agents for industrial and household purpose isothiazolinon es and formaldehyde-releasers were the most commonly registered preser vatives. The value and use of the different sources of information on formaldehyde exposure depend on the source of formaldehyde in the prod uct and the connection in which the information is needed, e.g. clinic al treatment of patients, risk assessment for the whole population or legislation on restriction of allergen exposure. This paper focuses on sources of formaldehyde exposure relevant to skin exposure and contac t allergy to formaldehyde, primarily chemical products with relatively low formaldehyde concentration. The paper presents information on sou rces of formaldehyde exposure based on: different exposure situations, which substances to look for, sources of formaldehyde besides compone nts, industry groups and product categories. This information may help to elucidate the exposure in cases of allergy to formaldehyde and in the process of eliminating or reducing further exposure.