Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40511596›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of occupational medicine and environmental health2025

Health effects of low-dose formaldehyde exposure: a cross-sectional study in occupational settings.

Hao-Yi Fan, Jhe-Ping Lin, Ting-An Yang, Yu-Chung Tsao

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

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0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Study of contaminants in natural cosmetics.International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health · 2026
    Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Hao-Yi FanLinkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan (Department of Occupational Medicine).
Jhe-Ping LinLinkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan (Department of Occupational Medicine).
Ting-An YangLinkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan (Department of Occupational Medicine).
Yu-Chung TsaoLinkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan (Department of Occupational Medicine).

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesTo evaluate the health effects of low-dose formaldehyde exposure in occupational settings, focusing on dermatological and respiratory symptoms and the influence of work tenure. MATERIAL AND

methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 414 workers undergoing annual health check-ups at a medical center in Taiwan with 242 individuals categorized as exposed (high exposure [N = 57], low exposure [N = 185]) and 172 as controls. Formaldehyde exposure was assessed through environmental monitoring, with all exposure levels <10% of the permissible exposure limits. Self-reported clinical symptoms, complete blood count (CBC) parameters, and pulmonary function were assessed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess exposure-related health effects, adjusting for potential confounders. Tenure was analyzed as both a continuous and categorical variable to assess its impact on health outcomes.

resultsThe exposure group reported significantly higher rates of irritationrelated symptoms (9.5% vs. 0.6%, p = 0.009) and skin symptoms (1.7% vs. 0%, p < 0.001) compared to controls. After adjusting for confounders, allergic rhinitis (OR = 16.78, 95% CI: 4.00-70.55, p < 0.001) and allergic dermatitis (OR = 18.83, 95% CI: 2.52-140.56, p = 0.004) remained significantly associated with formaldehyde exposure. No significant differences were found in CBC parameters or pulmonary function between groups.

conclusionsEven at low exposure levels, formaldehyde was associated with an increased risk of allergic conditions and irritation-related symptoms. While pulmonary function remained unchanged, the higher prevalence of allergic rhinitis and dermatitis suggests potential immune sensitization. These findings emphasize the importance of workplace exposure monitoring and preventive measures. Future longitudinal studies incorporating biomarkers are needed to clarify causal relationships and refine occupational health policies. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025;38(3):236-248.

Indexed as

Air Pollutants, OccupationalFormaldehydeOccupational DiseasesOccupational ExposureAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRespiratory Function TestsTaiwanAir Pollutants, OccupationalFormaldehydecross-sectional studiesdermatologic diseasesformaldehydeoccupational exposurerespiratory tract diseasesworkplace

Identifiers

PMID40511596
PMCPMC12273900

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.