These 17 Twin Cities ZIP Codes Have The Highest Formaldehyde Cancer Risk In MN, Study Finds

These 17 Twin Cities ZIP Codes Have The Highest Formaldehyde Cancer Risk In MN, Study Finds

Formaldehyde is used in the production of adhesives and bonding agents according to the Minnesota Department of Health.

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

SOURCE: KARE 11