Formaldehyde Toxicity in Children
The health risks posed by formaldehyde exposure in pediatric populations are not well assessed, which presents a growing challenge to protect children where they live, play, and learn. Due to their small size and developing biochemical and physiological functions and defense mechanisms, children are uniquely vulnerable to the risks of formaldehyde. Children may absorb, metabolize, and excrete chemicals differently from adults; therefore, they may not be capable of detoxifying harmful compounds as effectively as adults. Formaldehyde exposures during critical periods of development may result in permanent structural damage, putting children at greater risk than their adult counterparts. In this chapter, we review the factors influencing the exposure of children to formaldehyde