MINNEAPOLIS — A substance that "causes more cancer than any other chemical in the air" is so prevalent in the Twin Cities that 17 of the 18 most at-risk ZIP codes in the entire state are located in the metro.
The chemical, known as formaldehyde, can also trigger numerous other health issues including asthma, miscarriages and fertility problems, according to a report from ProPublica.
Formaldehyde is used in the production of adhesives and bonding agents, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
"Formaldehyde is also a byproduct of combustion. When burning natural gas, kerosene, gasoline, wood, or tobacco, formaldehyde is produced," said the MDH, which said the chemical is also produced by vehicle exhaust.
"The risk isn’t just to the workers using it; formaldehyde threatens everyone as it pollutes the air we all breathe and leaks from products long after they enter our homes," according to the ProPublica report.
The ProPublica report broke down the most at-risk ZIP codes for formaldehyde cancer in each state, including Minnesota. Below are the most at-risk communities in the state. Click on each for more in-depth data:
- Columbia Park, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55418
- Concord-Robert, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55107
- Lowertown, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55101
- Columbia Heights, Minnesota, 55421
- Mid-City Industrial, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55413
- Downtown West, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55415
- Downtown West, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55402
- Downtown West, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55403
- Morris Park, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55417
- Downtown East, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55415
- Downtown East, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55401
- Seward, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55406
- Seward, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55404
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455
- Cedar Riverside, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55454
- Beltrami, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55413
- Stevens Square, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55403
- Riverfront Park, Mankato, Minnesota, 56001
"Exposure to formaldehyde may cause health effects in some individuals. The severity of symptoms depends upon the concentration (how much) and duration (how long) of formaldehyde exposure. Additionally, some people are more sensitive to chemicals such as formaldehyde and may experience symptoms earlier than others," according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
