Evidence for Formaldehyde Antibodies and Altered Cellular Immunity in Subjects Exposed to Formaldehyde in Mobile Homes

Abstract

Eight symptomatic individuals chronically exposed to indoor formaldehyde (HCHO) at low concentrations (0.07–0.55 ppm) were compared to 8 nonexposed subjects with respect to: (1) presence of IgG and IgE antibodies to HCHO conjugated to human serum albumin (F-HSA); (2) the percentage of venous blood T and B cells by E and EAC-rosetting; and (3) the ability of T and B cells to undergo mitogen (PHA, PWM) stimulated blastogenesis as measured by the incorporation of tritiated thymidine. Anti-F-HSA IgG, but no IgE, antibodies were detected in the sera of the 8 exposed subjects; none were found in 7 of the unexposed controls. T lymphocytes were decreased in the exposed (48 ± 11.5%) compared to the control (65.9 ± 4.97%) subjects (p > .001 < .01). B cells were 12.6 ± 1.6% (HCHO group) and 14.75 ± 2.1% (controls) (p > .02 < .05). The incorporation of labeled thymidine by T cells (PHA) was decreased: 17,882 ± 2,293 cpm (HCHO group) and 28,576 ± 3,807 cpm (p > .001 < .01). T and B cell blastogenesis (PWM) was 9,698 ± 1,441 cpm (HCHO group) and 11,279 ± 1,711 (controls) (p > .05 < .1). Exposure to HCHO appears to stimulate IgG antibodies to F-HSA and decrease the proportion of peripheral T cells.