CHICAGO (March 17, 2023) — The Center for Truth in Science has selected ToxStrategies LLC to receive a research grant to complete a state-of-the-art systematic review of the literature that explores any relationship between myeloid leukemia and other lymphohematopoietic (LHP) cancers in individuals exposed to inhaled formaldehyde.
Formaldehyde is found in many building materials, such as composite wood products, and many everyday paper and household products. As a byproduct of combustion, it is also found in small amounts in emissions from fuel-burning appliances such as gas stoves. It can be toxic to humans at certain exposure levels when inhaled.
However, there is currently no scientific consensus on whether inhaled formaldehyde exposure causes leukemia, including myeloid leukemia and other LHP cancers. The findings of this review will be especially relevant on the heels of the Environmental Protection Agency’s draft updated review on toxic effects of formaldehyde (released April 2022), which claimed a direct causal link between inhaled formaldehyde with leukemia and other LHP cancers. Several scientific experts have questioned this conclusion based on a lack of mechanistic causal evidence.
“The Center believes a rigorous systematic review of the existing research, using the most advanced methods available, will help resolve this discrepancy over the effects of inhaled formaldehyde,” says Jacob Traverse, president and CEO of the Center for Truth in Science. “We are very confident that Daniele Wikoff, Ph.D., and her excellent team of experts on systematic review, toxicology, epidemiology, and formaldehyde, will thoroughly assess the quality of each selected study, and provide clear answers on what we know about causality using the most rigorous of research protocols.”
ToxStrategies is a scientific consulting firm with an impressive multidisciplinary team comprised of health scientists, regulatory specialists, and engineers who are recognized as leaders in their respective disciplines, and bring a high level of technical expertise to each project. The firm has extensive experience with systematic review and risk assessment associated with exposures to various consumer products, food ingredients and additives, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, pesticides, industrial chemicals, and environmental contaminants.
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with the Center for Truth in Science,” says Dr. Wikoff of ToxStrategies, who will lead the project. “Their commitment to seeking integrity in the pursuit of scientific knowledge is aligned with the multidisciplinary, evidence-based approach we plan to implement in our systematic review to assess research on formaldehyde and LHP cancers. This additional research is anticipated to provide a novel contribution to the literature to further the field’s understanding, as well as to identify and inform possible future research objectives.”
In response to its request for proposal, the Center received several applications from excellent research organizations representing top epidemiology and toxicology experts across the United States. All applications were evaluated and scored by an independent five-member panel of scientific experts, including epidemiologists, toxicologists, and risk analysts. More information on that process is available here.
The ToxStrategies analysis will be conducted entirely independently of the Center, and any other outside individual or entity. Findings will be released later this year. For bookings or interviews, contact corrine@cwstrategies.com.
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