Formaldehyde Exposure Increases Risk for ALS

People who are regularly exposed to formaldehyde, a substance often found in embalming fluid, may have an increased risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. In a new study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, formaldehyde is also linked to the development of ALS, an irreversible neurodegenerative disease.

Researchers took samples from the National Longitudinal Mortality Study (NLMS) to examine the association formaldehyde to ALS. Participants were surveyed about their levels of exposure to the carcinogenic chemical and had it compared to the standards set by the National Cancer Institute, according to Medical Daily.

The study revealed that men were three times more likely to die from ALS due to occupational exposure to formaldehyde, reports Medical News Today. Women were less likely to be exposed to the chemical since formaldehyde exposure is relatively common in morticians and funeral directors, jobs which are mainly composed of men.

"In the USA, female versus male funeral directors are more likely to interact with bereaved clients and less likely to perform embalming, where exposure to formaldehyde occurs," the researchers wrote. "Thus, formaldehyde exposure may vary by sex in this profession."

For women who do work in funeral homes, Time reports that they may deal with other specific jobs rather than embalming.

"Women have a tendency to be more involved with dealing with the clients, not the back-office actual embalming," said Andrea Roberts, co-author and research fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

However, the researchers cautioned that their study is merely observational and that there is no proof that formaldehyde causes ALS, since there were only two ALS deaths among the men in the samples.

Time also reported that formaldehyde is not only used in embalming fluids. There are many occupations that use the chemicals, such as in resins, furniture panelling and other household products. Funeral directors are also at risk to other pathogens from handling dead bodies, fumes and other embalming chemicals.

"It really suggests that we should do a study of this industry," Roberts said. "The bottom line is we know almost nothing about what causes ALS, so any clues that we can get might be relevant, and hopefully would be relevant, not just for people in this profession but for other people as well."

ALS, the disease that was highly campaigned in the viral internet sensation "Ice Bucket Challenge," affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord which can cause the loss of voluntary muscle movement. This can lead to paralysis, respiratory failure, and then death, according to the ALS Association.