METHODS: We reviewed reports regarding the causal relationship between occupational exposure to
formaldehyde in Korea and the development of these
cancers, in order to determine whether these cases were work-related.
RESULTS: Previous reports regarding excess mortality from
nasopharyngeal cancer caused by
formaldehyde exposure seemed to be influenced by excess mortality from a single plant. The recent meta-risk for
nasopharyngeal cancer was significantly increased in case-control studies, but was null for cohort studies (excluding unexplained clusters of
nasopharyngeal cancers). A recent analysis of the largest industrial cohort revealed elevated risks of both
leukemia and
Hodgkin lymphoma at the peak
formaldehyde exposure, and both
cancers exhibited significant dose-response relationships. A nested case-control study of embalmers revealed that mortality from
myeloid leukemia increased significantly with increasing numbers of embalms and with increasing
formaldehyde exposure. The recent meta-risks for all
leukemia and
myeloid leukemia increased significantly. In South Korea, a few cases were considered occupational
cancers as a result of mixed exposures to various chemicals (e.g.,
benzene), although no cases were compensated for
formaldehyde exposure. The peak
formaldehyde exposure levels in Korea were 2.70-14.8 ppm in a small number of specialized studies, which considered anatomy students, endoscopy employees who handled biopsy specimens, and manufacturing workers who were exposed to high temperatures.
CONCLUSION: