Fan Hao-Yi, Lin Jhe-Ping, Yang Ting-An, Tsao Yu-Chung
Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan (Department of Occupational Medicine).
Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan (Department of Emergency Medicine).
Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025 Jul 8;38(3):236-248. doi: 10.13075/ijomeh.1896.02503. Epub 2025 Jun 13.
To evaluate the health effects of low-dose formaldehyde exposure in occupational settings, focusing on dermatological and respiratory symptoms and the influence of work tenure.
A 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.
The 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.
Even 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.
评估职业环境中低剂量甲醛暴露对健康的影响，重点关注皮肤和呼吸道症状以及工作年限的影响。
对台湾一家医疗中心414名接受年度健康检查的工人进行了横断面研究，其中242人被归类为暴露组（高暴露组 [N = 57]，低暴露组 [N = 185]），172人作为对照组。通过环境监测评估甲醛暴露情况，所有暴露水平均低于允许暴露限值的10%。评估自我报告的临床症状、全血细胞计数（CBC）参数和肺功能。进行逻辑回归分析以评估与暴露相关的健康影响，并对潜在混杂因素进行调整。将工作年限作为连续变量和分类变量进行分析，以评估其对健康结果的影响。
与对照组相比，暴露组报告的刺激性相关症状发生率（9.5% 对 0.6%，p = 0.009）和皮肤症状发生率（1.7% 对 0%，p < 0.001）显著更高。在对混杂因素进行调整后，过敏性鼻炎（OR = 16.78，95% CI：4.00 - 70.55，p < 0.001）和过敏性皮炎（OR = 18.83，95% CI：2.52 - 140.56，p = 0.004）仍与甲醛暴露显著相关。两组之间在CBC参数或肺功能方面未发现显著差异。
即使在低暴露水平下，甲醛也与过敏性疾病和刺激性相关症状的风险增加有关。虽然肺功能保持不变，但过敏性鼻炎和皮炎的较高患病率表明可能存在免疫致敏。这些发现强调了工作场所暴露监测和预防措施的重要性。未来需要纳入生物标志物的纵向研究来阐明因果关系并完善职业健康政策。《国际职业医学与环境卫生杂志》。2025年；38(3)：236 - 248。
