Formaldehyde Exposure and Mortality Risks From Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Other Lymphohematopoietic Malignancies in the US National Cancer Institute Cohort Study of Workers in Formaldehyde Industries

Abstract

Objectives:To evaluate associations between cumulative and peak formaldehyde exposure and mortality from acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other lymphohematopoietic malignancies.Methods:Cox proportional hazards analyses.Results:Acute myeloid leukemia was unrelated to cumulative exposure. Hodgkin lymphoma relative risk estimates in the highest exposure categories of cumulative and peak exposures were, respectively, 3.76 (Ptrend = 0.05) and 5.13 (Ptrend = 0.003). There were suggestive associations with peak exposure observed for chronic myeloid leukemia, albeit based on very small numbers. No other lymphohematopoietic malignancy was associated with either chronic or peak exposure.Conclusions:Insofar as there is no prior epidemiologic evidence supporting associations between formaldehyde and either Hodgkin leukemia or chronic myeloid leukemia, any causal interpretations of the observed risk patterns are at most tentative. Findings from this re-analysis do not support the hypothesis that formaldehyde is a cause of AML.

Completing the Link between Exposure Science and Toxicology for Improved Environmental Health Decision Making: The Aggregate Exposure Pathway Framework

“…We also envision databases of accumulated information on interacting AEP-AOPs would transform the assessment of hazards/risks arising from the cumulative effects of multiples stressors acting on a single AOP (cumulative risk assessment), and the aggregate effects of exposure to all chemicals producing exposure to each chemical at a site of action (aggregate risk assessment, Figure 2B). In the extreme, AEPs would help identify cases where the AOP is not relevant for a specific chemical because it cannot reach the site of action, for example, formaldehyde is proposed to cause leukemia through an AOP involving DNA damage to cells of the lymphohemopoetic system 35 , but it has recently been shown not to reach systemic tissues including the bone marrow 36 .…”

Re-evaluation of the WHO (2010) formaldehyde indoor air quality guideline for cancer risk assessment

“…The most remarkable increase in RR is for Hodgkin’s lymphoma, apparent from both metrics; this increase was also present in the previous follow-up (Hauptmann et al 2003), but was not seen in other FA-exposed cohorts as mentioned by the authors. Furthermore, Hodgkin’s lymphoma has not previously been associated with exposures to chemicals (Nielsen et al 2013; Checkoway et al 2015); known risk factors are, for example, socioeconomic status, family size and Epstein–Barr virus infection (c.f. Nielsen et al 2013).…”

“…The Beane Freeman et al (2009) study was re-analysed and expanded by Checkoway et al (2015). The re-analysis subdivided myeloid leukaemia into acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML); AML is associated with risk factors such as tobacco smoke, benzene exposure, chemotherapy and ionizing radiation, whereas CML is associated with the Philadelphia chromosome, a translocation between chromosome 22 and 9, and with high-dose ionizing radiation.…”

“…Remarkably, the previous follow-up study (Hauptmann et al 2003) and the most recent follow-up (Beane Freeman et al 2009) of the NCI cohort both showed an increase in Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the average intensity ≥0.5 ppm and peak exposures ≥2 ppm. Hodgkin’s lymphoma has not previously been associated with exposures to chemicals (Nielsen et al 2013; Checkoway et al 2015); known risk factors are, for example, socioeconomic status, family size and Epstein–Barr virus infection (c.f. Nielsen et al 2013).…”

Richtwert für Formaldehyd in der Innenraumluft

“…Im aktuellen Follow-up der zweiten US-Studie hat sich der zunächst beobachtete Zusammenhang zwischen Formaldehyd-Exposition und Leukämie nicht bestätigt [27,28]. Insgesamt wird der Zusammenhang als gering erachtet und biologisch als nicht plausibel angesehen [29].…”