Occupational laryngitis caused by formaldehyde: A case report

Formaldehyde is commonly accepted so be art allergen and irritant. However, specifically diagnosed occupational respiratory diseases caused by formaldehyde are relatively rare. Occupational laryngitis was diagnosed in a 47-year-old dairy foreman. He had been exposed for 9 years to formaldehyde emitted from a milk-packing machine situated underneath his office, His exposure level varied considerably. Under normal process conditions, the measured formaldehyde level was 0.03 mg/m(3). The patient was examined by different specialists over 1 1/2 yeats. It was concluded that that he had psychogenic dysphonia. However, a specific laryngeal provocation test with formaldehyde carried out at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health was positive, His laryngitis was so serious that he was pensioned. During the 3 years of follow-up his condition gradually worsened. He now reacts especially to tobacco smoke and other air impurities known to contain formaldehyde. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.