2023-11-02 20:29:55
Researchers from the Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute have participated in a study in which they have determined that formaldehyde, a widespread contaminant and common metabolite in the human body, interferes with the epigenetic programming of the cell, the institute reports in a statement this Thursday.
The magazine ‘Science’ has published the results that demonstrate formaldehyde, present in various household and cosmetic products, in polluted air and widely used in construction, It is a “potent modifier” of normal epigenetic patterns.
According to the authors, the epigenetic changes caused by this toxic agent could directly contribute to the origin of diseases such as cancer (nasopharyngeal tumors and leukemia), liver degeneration due to fatty liver (steatosis) and asthma.
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International health authorities are already restricting the use of formaldehyde as much as possible, but there are still workplaces where it is used at high levels, such as resin manufacturing, plastic production, industrial foundries and the cosmetics industry.
In addition, it also originates during the combustion of automobile gasoline and in tobacco smoke, which is why researchers have called for the promotion of environmental and health policies aimed at reducing exposure to this substance.
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