Formaldehyde, the most significant indoor pollutant in most homes, is a colorless, soluble, irritating gas that can be absorbed through the respiratory tract.
Long-term exposure to low doses of formaldehyde can cause chronic respiratory disease, menstrual disorders in women, pregnancy syndrome, cause decreased fitness in newborns, chromosomal abnormalities, and even cause nasopharyngeal cancer. High concentrations of formaldehyde are toxic to the nervous system, immune system, liver, etc.
Formaldehyde is also teratogenic and carcinogenic. Long-term exposure to formaldehyde may cause cancers of the nose, mouth, nasopharynx, throat, skin, and digestive tract.
Formaldehyde is mainly derived from chemical products such as building materials, decoration items and household products. For formaldehyde, there is no conclusive clinical evidence that can prove a direct relationship between formaldehyde and leukemia. 2015 study by Checkoway H showed that the development of acute myeloid leukemia was not associated with cumulative exposure to formaldehyde.
Benzene, another pollutant produced during renovation, is the real causative factor for leukemia. Benzene can damage bone marrow, reduce the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, and cause chromosomal aberrations, increasing the risk of leukemia.