Occupational formaldehyde exposure and the nasal mucosa. 1987

C Edling, and H Hellquist, and L Odkvist
Dept. of Occupational Medicine, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the possible cytotoxic effect of formaldehyde on the nasal mucosa in man. 38 men with an average age of 38 years and average exposure time of 10.5 years were studied. They were exposed to formaldehyde when processing laminae. All men passed a medical examination and a nasal biopsy. The histological findings were scored, 0-8, according to a system proposed by Torjussen. The findings were compared with a non-exposed reference group of 25 men (mean age 35 years). 35% of the exposed were smokers compared to 48% of the nonexposed. The average histological score was 2.8 for the exposed versus 1.8 for the non-exposed (p less than 0.05, Wilcoxon). The more common findings in the exposed were loss of cilia, goblet cell hyperplasia and squamous metaplasia. In four cases (11%) there was a mild dysplasia. Smoking had a slight modifying effect on the histological picture. The results indicate that the suspected precancerous findings in animal studies after exposure to formaldehyde might be present in workers exposed to formaldehyde at relatively low levels.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008679 Metaplasia A condition in which there is a change of one adult cell type to another similar adult cell type.
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009297 Nasal Mucosa The mucous lining of the NASAL CAVITY, including lining of the nostril (vestibule) and the OLFACTORY MUCOSA. Nasal mucosa consists of ciliated cells, GOBLET CELLS, brush cells, small granule cells, basal cells (STEM CELLS) and glands containing both mucous and serous cells. Nasal Epithelium,Schneiderian Membrane,Epithelium, Nasal,Membrane, Schneiderian,Mucosa, Nasal
D009668 Nose Diseases Disorders of the nose, general or unspecified. Nasal Diseases,Nasal Disorders,Disease, Nasal,Disease, Nose,Diseases, Nasal,Diseases, Nose,Disorder, Nasal,Disorders, Nasal,Nasal Disease,Nasal Disorder,Nose Disease
D009669 Nose Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the NOSE. Cancer of Nose,Nasal Neoplasms,Nose Cancer,Cancer of the Nose,Nasal Cancer,Neoplasms, Nose,Cancer, Nasal,Cancer, Nose,Cancers, Nasal,Cancers, Nose,Nasal Cancers,Nasal Neoplasm,Neoplasm, Nasal,Neoplasm, Nose,Neoplasms, Nasal,Nose Cancers,Nose Neoplasm
D009784 Occupational Diseases Diseases caused by factors involved in one's employment. Diseases, Occupational,Occupational Illnesses,Disease, Occupational,Illnesse, Occupational,Illnesses, Occupational,Occupational Disease,Occupational Illnesse
D011230 Precancerous Conditions Pathological conditions that tend eventually to become malignant. Preneoplastic Conditions,Condition, Preneoplastic,Conditions, Preneoplastic,Preneoplastic Condition,Condition, Precancerous,Conditions, Precancerous,Precancerous Condition
D005557 Formaldehyde A highly reactive aldehyde gas formed by oxidation or incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons. In solution, it has a wide range of uses: in the manufacture of resins and textiles, as a disinfectant, and as a laboratory fixative or preservative. Formaldehyde solution (formalin) is considered a hazardous compound, and its vapor toxic. (From Reynolds, Martindale The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p717) Formalin,Formol,Methanal,Oxomethane
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

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