[Chronic formaldehyde exposure--a misunderstood disease?].

A family with chronic exposure to formaldehyde in a renovated apartment is reported. The source of exposure proved to be chipboard. The family members' symptoms were eye and upper airway irritation, malaise, headache, nausea, sleeping disturbances, irritability and lack of appetite. At first the syndrome was thought to be psychosomatic and the correct diagnosis was overlooked. Ten years after beginning of the chronic exposure a formaldehyde level of 0.35 ppm was still recorded in the apartment. Sources, symptoms and diagnosis of chronic formaldehyde immission are discussed.