Raised Exhaled Nitric Oxide in Healthy Children Is Associated with Domestic Formaldehyde Levels

Abstract

Exposure to domestic levels of formaldehyde has been associated with adverse respiratory symptoms in both adults and children. The underlying mechanisms responsible for these findings have not been established. In order to investigate possible inflammatory effects of formaldehyde at levels typically found in the home, we measured exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) in 224 healthy children 6 to 13 yr of age (116 girls) and monitored formaldehyde levels in their homes. Formaldehyde was monitored using a passive sampling technique. Exhaled NO was measured directly into a fast response chemiluminescence nitric oxide analyzer. The children also undertook a lung function (spirometry) test. There was no effect of formaldehyde levels measured in homes on spirometric variables. However, eNO levels were significantly elevated in children living in homes with average formaldehyde levels >/= 50 ppb. Exhaled NO levels (geometric mean) were 15.5 ppb (95% CI: 10.5 to 22.9 ppb) for children from homes with formaldehyde concentrations >/= 50 ppb compared with 8.7 ppb (7.9 to 9.6) for children from homes with formaldehyde concentrations < 50 ppb (p < 0.05). These results suggest that exposure to formaldehyde in homes may invoke a subclinical inflammatory response in the airways of healthy children.

Expressing urine from a gel disposable diaper for biomonitoring using phthalates as an example

“…Formaldehyde has been associated with increased prevalence of atopy (Garrett et al, 1999) and higher levels of specific immunoglobulin E (Wantke et al, 1996) in children. Formaldehyde, at levels typically encountered in homes in developed countries, is associated with airway inflammation in both healthy children (Franklin et al, 2000) and adults (Wieslander et al, 1997). Exposing animals to formaldehyde (200 μg/m 3 ) enhances sensitization to inhaled allergens (Riedel et al, 1996), an observation that supports the role of formaldehyde as a cofactor for postnatal Th2 boosting.…”

Personal Exposure of Children to Formaldehyde in Perth, Western Australia

“…These studies, which investigated children's respiratory health in relation to formaldehyde exposures based on stationary indoor measures, have indicated that respiratory impacts can occur at relatively low concentrations, as are found in conventional Australia homes (Garrett et al 1999;Franklin et al 2000). This further supports the need to more directly quantify the actual concentrations of formaldehyde children are being exposed to.…”

“…The primary use of formaldehyde is the production of resins which are used as adhesives in the production of particleboard, fibreboard and plywood, with these products common materials in almost all homes and indoor environments (McPhail 1991;Kelly 1999;Dingle et al 2000;Jiang 2002). …”

“…These impacts have included tightness of chest, increased asthma, and increased asthma-like symptoms (Thun et al 1982;Krzyzanowski et al 1990;Norback et al 1995;Garrett et al 1996;Franklin et al 2000;Venn et al 2003). This is potentially of concern for sensitive populations, such as children, the elderly and people with pre-existing respiratory concentrations (Arts et al 2008).…”

“…There has been some limited research undertaken in the field of children's health and formaldehyde, with some useful research undertaken within Australia (Garrett et al 1999;Franklin et al 2000;Rumchev et al 2002). These studies, which investigated children's respiratory health in relation to formaldehyde exposures based on stationary indoor measures, have indicated that respiratory impacts can occur at relatively low concentrations, as are found in conventional Australia homes (Garrett et al 1999;Franklin et al 2000).…”