Formaldehyde environmental tobacco smoke

Smokers and persons who live in a home with a cigarette smoker also may be exposed to higher levels of formaldehyde. Environmental tobacco smoke, which is a combination of diluted sidestream smoke released from a cigarette s burning end and mainstream smoke exhaled by an active smoker, can contribute 10-25% (0.1-1 mg/day) of the total average indoor exposure to formaldehyde (Fishbein 1992). 

Formaldehyde (HCHO) is a colorless gas with a pungent odor. Formaldehyde has found wide industrial usage as a fungicide and germicide, and in disinfectants and embalming fluids. The serious sources of indoor airborne formaldehyde are furnimre, floor underlayment insulation, and environmental tobacco smoke. Urea formaldehyde (UF) is mixed with adhesives to bond veneers, particles, and fibers. It has been identified as a potential hazardous source. 

The California Air Resources Board has prepared risk assessments for a number of toxic airborne compounds and mixtures, designated as toxic air contaminants, TACs (Table 16.15). For example, risk assessments for individual compounds such as benzene, benzo[a]pyrene (see Chapter 10), formaldehyde, and vinyl chloride have been carried out, in addition to complex mixtures such as diesel exhaust (California Air Resources Board, 1997a) and environmental tobacco smoke (California Environmental Protection Agency, 1997). These risk assessment documents form the basis for controls imposed as part of the risk management process (e.g., see Seiber, 1996). 

A major route of formaldehyde exposure for the general population is inhalation of indoor air releases of formaldehyde from new or recently installed building materials and furnishings may account for most of the exposure. Environmental tobacco smoke may contribute 10-25% of the exposure. Since formaldehyde in food is not available in free form, it is not included in estimated exposures (Fishbein... 

Quackenboss JJ, Bronnimann D, Camilli AE, et al. 1988. Bronchial responsiveness in children and adults in association with formaldehyde, particulate matter, and environmental tobacco smoke exposures [Abstract]. Am Rev Respir Dis 137 253. 

Guerin, M.R., R.A. Jenkins, and B.A. Tomkins Field Smdies Formaldehyde Chapter 10 in Guerin, M.R., R.A. Jenkins, and B.A. Tomkins The chemistry of environmental tobacco smoke Composition and measurement Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, EL (1992) see pp. 197-209. 

While the number of particles is important as they are related to health effects, so too is the size, shape, material properties and chemical composition. Chemicals absorbed or adsorbed into the particles may also have different toxicological effects. In addition to carbon particles and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), indoor air can accumulate environmental tobacco smoke as well as chemicals such as biocides, formaldehyde, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (lARC) as carcinogenic (benzene, 1,3-butadiene) (lARC 1995). Since children are the most affected by chronic household exposure, they may be at higher risk of cancer. It was demonstrated a relative increase in leukaemia and lymphoma caused by indoor VOCs as well as by the... 

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