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Nature Communications Jan 2021Writing in Nature communications, Zhu and collaborators reported the development of a genetically encoded sensor for the detection of formaldehyde in cells and tissues....
Writing in Nature communications, Zhu and collaborators reported the development of a genetically encoded sensor for the detection of formaldehyde in cells and tissues. This tool has great potential to transform formaldehyde research; illuminating a cellular metabolite that has remained elusive in live structures.
Topics: Cell Physiological Phenomena; Formaldehyde
PubMed: 33495466
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20758-0 -
Neurotoxicity Research Jun 2021While there is significant investigation and investment in brain and neurodegenerative disease research, current understanding of the etiologies of illnesses like... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
While there is significant investigation and investment in brain and neurodegenerative disease research, current understanding of the etiologies of illnesses like Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and brain cancer remains limited. Environmental exposure to the pollutant formaldehyde, an emerging neurotoxin widely used in industry, is suspected to play a critical role in mediating these disorders, although findings are limited and inconsistent. Focusing on highly exposed groups, we performed a meta-analysis of human epidemiological studies of formaldehyde and neurodegenerative disease (N = 19) or brain tumors (N = 12). To assess the biological plausibility of observed associations, we then conducted a bioinformatics analysis using WikiPathways and the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database and identified candidate genes and pathways that may be related to these interactions. We reported the meta-relative risk (meta-RR) of ALS following high exposures to formaldehyde was increased by 78% (meta-RR = 1.78, 95% confidence interval, CI 1.20-2.65). Similarly, the meta-RR for brain cancer was increased by 71% (meta-RR = 1.71; 95% CI 1.07-2.73) among highly exposed individuals. Multiple sensitivity analyses did not reveal sources of heterogeneity or bias. Our bioinformatics analysis revealed that the oxidative stress genes superoxide dismutase (SOD1, SOD2) and the pro-inflammatory marker tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were identified as the top relevant genes, and the folate metabolism, vitamin B metabolism, and the ALS pathways were highly affected by formaldehyde and related to the most brain diseases of interest. Further inquiry revealed the two metabolic pathways are also intimately tied with the formaldehyde cycle. Overall, our bioinformatics analysis supports the link of formaldehyde exposure to ALS or brain tumor reported from our meta-analysis. This new multifactorial approach enabled us to both interrogate the robustness of the epidemiological data and identify genes and pathways that may be involved in these interactions, ultimately lending strong evidence and potential biological plausibility for the association between formaldehyde exposure and brain disease.
Topics: Animals; Brain; Brain Diseases; Computational Biology; Environmental Exposure; Formaldehyde; Humans; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Occupational Exposure
PubMed: 33400181
DOI: 10.1007/s12640-020-00320-y -
Indoor Air Jan 2022The objectives of the systematic review were to: identify the work sectors at risk for exposure to formaldehyde; investigate the procedures applied to assess... (Review)
Review
The objectives of the systematic review were to: identify the work sectors at risk for exposure to formaldehyde; investigate the procedures applied to assess occupational exposure; evaluate the reported exposure levels among the different settings. An electronic search of Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science and ToxNet was carried out for collecting all the articles on the investigated issue published from January 1, 2004 to September 30, 2019. Forty-three papers were included in the review, and evidenced a great number of occupational scenarios at risk for formaldehyde exposure. All the included studies collected data on formaldehyde exposure levels by a similar approach: environmental and personal sampling followed by chromatographic analyses. Results ranged from not detectable values until to some mg m of airborne formaldehyde. The riskiest occupational settings for formaldehyde exposure were the gross anatomy and pathology laboratories, the hairdressing salons and some specific productive settings, such as wooden furniture factories, dairy facilities and fish hatcheries. Notice that formaldehyde, a well-known carcinogen, was recovered in air at levels higher than outdoor in almost all the studied scenarios/activities; thus, when formaldehyde cannot be removed or substituted, targeted strategies for exposure elimination or mitigation must be adopted.
Topics: Air Pollution, Indoor; Formaldehyde; Humans; Laboratories; Occupational Exposure; Respiratory Hypersensitivity
PubMed: 34708443
DOI: 10.1111/ina.12949 -
Ageing Research Reviews Jan 2022The primordial small gaseous molecules, such as: NO, CO, HS and formaldehyde (FA) are present in the brains. Whether FA as well as the other molecules participates in... (Review)
Review
The primordial small gaseous molecules, such as: NO, CO, HS and formaldehyde (FA) are present in the brains. Whether FA as well as the other molecules participates in brain functions is unclear. Recently, its pathophysiological functions have been investigated. Notably, under physiological conditions, learning activity induces a transient generation of hippocampal FA, which promotes memory formation by enhancing N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-currents. However, ageing leads to FA accumulation in brain for the dysregulation of FA metabolism; and excessive FA directly impairs memory by inhibiting NMDA-receptor. Especially, in Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyloid-beta (Aβ) accelerates FA accumulation by inactivating alcohol dehydrogenase-5; in turn, FA promotes Aβ oligomerization, fibrillation and tau hyperphosphorylation. Hence, there is a vicious circle encompassing Aβ assembly and FA generation. Even worse, FA induces Aβ deposition in the extracellular space (ECS), which blocks the medicines (dissolved in the interstitial fluid) flowing into the damaged neurons in the deep cortex. However, phototherapy destroys Aβ deposits in the ECS and restores ISF flow. Coenzyme Q10, which scavenges FA, was shown to ameliorate Aβ-induced AD pathological phenotypes, thus suggesting a causative relation between FA toxicity and AD. These findings suggest that the combination of these two methods is a promising strategy for treating AD.
Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Brain; Formaldehyde; Humans; Respiratory Hypersensitivity
PubMed: 34798299
DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101512 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials Aug 2022The wide use of hazardous formaldehyde (CHO) in disinfections, adhesives and wood-based furniture leads to undesirable emissions to indoor environments. This is highly... (Review)
Review
The wide use of hazardous formaldehyde (CHO) in disinfections, adhesives and wood-based furniture leads to undesirable emissions to indoor environments. This is highly problematic as formaldehyde is a highly hazardous and toxic compound present in both liquid and gaseous form. The majority of gaseous and atmospheric formaldehyde derive from microbial and plant decomposition. However, plants also reversibly absorb formaldehyde released from for example indoor structural materials in such as furniture, thus offering beneficial phytoremediation properties. Here we provide the first comprehensive review of plant formaldehyde metabolism, physiology and remediation focusing on release and absorption including species-specific differences for maintaining indoor environmental air quality standards. Phytoremediation depends on rhizosphere, temperature, humidity and season and future indoor formaldehyde remediation therefore need to take these biological factors into account including the balance between emission and phytoremediation. This would pave the road for remediation of formaldehyde air pollution and improve planetary health through several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Topics: Air Pollution, Indoor; Biodegradation, Environmental; Formaldehyde; Humidity; Plants; Wood
PubMed: 35739801
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129304 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jan 2023Formaldehyde, a colorless and highly irritating substance, causes cancer of the nasopharynx and leukemia. Furthermore, it is one of the environmental mutagens to which...
INTRODUCTION
Formaldehyde, a colorless and highly irritating substance, causes cancer of the nasopharynx and leukemia. Furthermore, it is one of the environmental mutagens to which humans are most abundantly exposed. Acetaldehyde was recently classified as carcinogen class 1B and mutagen class 2 in Annex VI EC regulation. Occupational exposure to the two aldehydes occurs in a wide variety of occupations and industries. The aim of this study is to deepen exposure to the two aldehydes in the non-traditional productive sectors of bakeries and pastry producers.
METHODS
The evaluation of exposure to formaldehyde and acetaldehyde was conducted in Italy in 2019, in specific tasks and positions of 11 bakeries and pastry producers (115 measures, of which 57.4% were in fixed positions and the rest were personal air sampling). The measurements were performed using Radiello© radial diffusion samplers. A logarithmic transformation of the data was performed, and the correlation between the two substances was calculated. Moreover, linear models considering the log-formaldehyde as the outcome and adjusting for log-acetaldehyde values were used.
RESULTS
The study identified high levels of acetaldehyde and formaldehyde exposure in the monitored workplaces. Higher mean values were observed in the leavening phase (8.39 µg/m and 3.39 µg/m for log-transformed data acetaldehyde and formaldehyde, respectively). The adjusted univariate analyses show statistically significant factors for formaldehyde as the presence of yeast, the presence of type 1 flour, the use of barley, the use of fats, the type of production, the use of spelt, and the presence of type 0 flour.
CONCLUSIONS
The measurements confirmed the release of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in bakeries and pastry industries, especially in some phases of the work process, such as leavening.
Topics: Humans; Acetaldehyde; Formaldehyde; Occupational Exposure; Aldehydes; Allergens
PubMed: 36767350
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20031983 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Sep 2019The aim of the present study was to evaluate associations between cumulative and peak formaldehyde exposure and occurrence of acute myeloid leukemia. A comprehensive... (Review)
Review
The aim of the present study was to evaluate associations between cumulative and peak formaldehyde exposure and occurrence of acute myeloid leukemia. A comprehensive search was performed using the PubMed and Embase databases. We included studies presenting information about the role of formaldehyde in leukemic occurrence and mortality risk. Then, full texts of the selected references were assessed, and references of included studies were checked to identify additional articles. The information was then summarized and organized in the present review. A total of 81 articles were obtained from the search. Findings from the review of the literature do not support the hypothesis that formaldehyde is a cause of acute myeloid leukemia.
Topics: Formaldehyde; Hematologic Neoplasms; Humans; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure
PubMed: 31557975
DOI: 10.3390/medicina55100638 -
Public Health May 2023Formaldehyde is an organic compound used in the production of resins, paper, wood plywood, solvents and cleaning products. Formaldehyde is also present when tobacco is... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Formaldehyde is an organic compound used in the production of resins, paper, wood plywood, solvents and cleaning products. Formaldehyde is also present when tobacco is smoked. Formaldehyde has been defined as an irritant and is classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the following two distinct correlations: (1) the association between formaldehyde exposure and development of irritant diseases affecting the respiratory tract, mainly asthma; and (2) the association between formaldehyde exposure and development of neoplastic diseases.
STUDY DESIGN
This was an umbrella review.
METHODS
A search was conducted in the three main electronic databases of scientific literature: PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. The search included systematic reviews and meta-analyses published in the previous 10 years. Initially, titles and abstracts of retrieved articles were evaluated, then full-text assessments of selected articles took place. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed according to Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) score.
RESULTS
A total of 630 articles were initially collected. Nine articles concerning the association between formaldehyde exposure and asthma were included in the present review, and the majority of these reported good association. In addition, 27 articles investigating the association between formaldehyde exposure and neoplastic diseases were included in the review. These studies showed that nasopharyngeal cancer and leukaemia were the most represented neoplastic diseases; however, only a weak association was reported between formaldehyde exposure and cancer.
CONCLUSIONS
Although the studies included in this review did not show a strong association between exposure to formaldehyde and irritant or neoplastic diseases, the World Health Organisation recommends that levels of formaldehyde do not exceed the threshold value of 0.1 mg/m (0.08 ppm) for a period of 30 min. It is recommended that preventive measures, such as ventilation in workplaces with high exposure to formaldehyde and environmental monitoring of formaldehyde concentrations, are implemented.
Topics: Humans; Irritants; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms; Systematic Reviews as Topic; Asthma; Formaldehyde
PubMed: 37060739
DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2023.03.009 -
PloS One 2021Every major federal regulation in the United States requires an economic analysis estimating its benefits and costs. Benefit-cost analyses related to regulations on... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Every major federal regulation in the United States requires an economic analysis estimating its benefits and costs. Benefit-cost analyses related to regulations on formaldehyde exposure have not included asthma in part due to lack of clarity in the strength of the evidence.
OBJECTIVES
1) To conduct a systematic review of evidence regarding human exposure to formaldehyde and diagnosis, signs, symptoms, exacerbations, or other measures of asthma in humans; and 2) quantify the annual economic benefit for decreases in formaldehyde exposure.
METHODS
We developed and registered a protocol in PROSPERO (Record ID #38766, CRD 42016038766). We conducted a comprehensive search of articles published up to April 1, 2020. We evaluated potential risk of bias for included studies, identified a subset of studies to combine in a meta-analysis, and rated the overall quality and strength of the evidence. We quantified economics benefit to children from a decrease in formaldehyde exposure using assumptions consistent with EPA's proposed formaldehyde rule.
RESULTS
We screened 4,821 total references and identified 150 human studies that met inclusion criteria; of these, we focused on 90 studies reporting asthma status of all participants with quantified measures of formaldehyde directly relevant to our study question. Ten studies were combinable in a meta-analysis for childhood asthma diagnosis and five combinable for exacerbation of childhood asthma (wheezing and shortness of breath). Studies had low to probably-low risk of bias across most domains. A 10-μg/m3 increase in formaldehyde exposure was associated with increased childhood asthma diagnosis (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: [1.02, 1.41]). We also found a positive association with exacerbation of childhood asthma (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: [0.92, 1.28]). The overall quality and strength of the evidence was rated as "moderate" quality and "sufficient" for asthma diagnosis and asthma symptom exacerbation in both children and adults. We estimated that EPA's proposed rule on pressed wood products would result in 2,805 fewer asthma cases and total economic benefit of $210 million annually.
CONCLUSION
We concluded there was "sufficient evidence of toxicity" for associations between exposure to formaldehyde and asthma diagnosis and asthma symptoms in both children and adults. Our research documented that when exposures are ubiquitous, excluding health outcomes from benefit-cost analysis can underestimate the true benefits to health from environmental regulations.
Topics: Asthma; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Environmental Exposure; Formaldehyde; Humans; Occupational Exposure
PubMed: 33788856
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248258 -
DNA Repair Sep 2021Maintaining genome stability involves coordination between different subcellular compartments providing cells with DNA repair systems that safeguard against... (Review)
Review
Maintaining genome stability involves coordination between different subcellular compartments providing cells with DNA repair systems that safeguard against environmental and endogenous stresses. Organisms produce the chemically reactive molecule formaldehyde as a component of one-carbon metabolism, and cells maintain systems to regulate endogenous levels of formaldehyde under physiological conditions, preventing genotoxicity, among other adverse effects. Dysregulation of formaldehyde is associated with several diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. In the present review, we discuss the complex topic of endogenous formaldehyde metabolism and summarize advances in research on fo dysregulation, along with future research perspectives.
Topics: Animals; DNA Damage; DNA Repair; DNA, Mitochondrial; Formaldehyde; Humans; Mitochondria; Mutagens
PubMed: 34116475
DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2021.103134