Classified as a carcinogen for nearly 20 years, formaldehyde could cause cognitive impairment in people who are exposed to it for a long time in the context of their professional activity.
- Increased risks of cognitive impairment have been observed in people exposed to formaldehyde for a long time.
- After 22 years of exposure, the risk of impaired thinking and memory is estimated at 21%.
It is found in certain disinfectant products, in floor coverings or even in cigarette smoke. Officially recognized as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) since 2004, formaldehyde, also known as “formaldehyde”, is a colorless but powerfully odorous gas.
In addition to being carcinogenic, formaldehyde could also cause cognitive disorders, such as memory or thinking disorders, researchers from the University of Montpellier have warned. This research was published in the journal American Academy of Neurology.
The study is based on the analysis of medical data from 75,322 French people aged 58 on average. Participants’ cognitive function was assessed using a battery of seven cognitive tests aimed at assessing their episodic verbal memory, language skills and executive brain functions.
Increased risks after 22 years of exposure
Around 8% of the French in the panel, i.e. more than 6,000 people, were exposed to this chemical substance in the course of carrying out their professional activity. The people concerned are maintenance workers, caregivers, carpenters or cleaning ladies. The study authors found that among those people exposed to formaldehyde, 17% had an increased risk of cognitive impairment.
In people in contact with this substance for more than 20 years, this risk could even increase to 21%. “Our results underscore the long-term detrimental effect of formaldehyde exposure on cognitive health in a relatively young population,” concluded the scientists.
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