Changes in subjective symptoms and allergy state among medical students exposed to low-level formaldehyde 6 months after completion of a gross anatomy dissection course

Abstract

Objectives Our purpose was to clarify whether subjective symptoms of low-level formaldehyde (FA) exposure in medical students were transient or persistent and to investigate whether the allergy state changed as a result of exposure. Methods We surveyed the prevalence of medical students' subjective symptoms and their allergy state before, during, and 6 months after completion of a gross anatomy dissection course by using two self-administrative questionnaires. Students completed the first survey at the end of the anatomy course to assess symptoms before and during the course. The second survey was completed 6 months after course completion.Results The prevalence of most subjective symptoms was lower 6 months after the course than during the course. The major symptoms experienced during the course were eye fatigue, runny nose, and dry eyes. The most common symptom 6 months after the course was eye fatigue. Four students continued to experience symptoms even after course completion. Three students developed symptoms only after course completion. Forty-eight students had allergies before the course began and the severity of the allergies did not change after the course. Additionally, the prevalence of most subjective symptoms 6 months after the course was lower than before the course. The patterns of subjective symptoms in the three periods differed between male and female students; the prevalence of most subjective symptoms tended to be higher in females. Conclusions Subjective symptoms resulting from FA exposure during a gross anatomy course were transient and did not affect students' allergy states.

The Irritating Effects Of Exposure To Formaldehyde In User Students Of The Human Anatomy Laboratory

“…In a recent study in Thailand, about FA exposure in Anatomy labs, most students also had these symptoms [7]. Similar results were found in the studies of [4, 13,15,21], which reported, in addition to these clinical symptoms, general fatigue and skin irritation.…”

Comparison of subjective symptoms associated with exposure to low levels of formaldehyde between students enrolled and not enrolled in a gross anatomy course

“…After the repair work, the number of individuals with subjective symptoms significantly decreased in 2011; however, not all symptoms disappeared [11]. There are very few studies that have assessed the health effects of exposure to post-repair FA levels on medical students and experimental animals with the exception of our previous studies [11,12]. Therefore, it is necessary to continue measuring the indoor FA concentrations and devise further strategies aimed at reducing exposure to FA even in an environment of low FA levels within the exposure limits set by the Japan Society for Occupational Health (0.1 ppm) [13].…”

The Evaluation of Formaldehyde Exposure in the Anatomy Laboratories and the Preventive Measures

“…Previously published data have shown clinical symptoms formaldehyde exposure of medical students and instructors in the anatomy laboratory (3,9,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,30,31).…”

“…Formaldehyde may function as an irritant and cause mild eye and mucous membrane complaints at air levels of 0.5-2 ppm (8). Different studies related to formaldehyde concentrations in the air and clinical symptoms are presented in Table 1 (14) Inhalation exposure Gross anatomy dissection course -During the course were eye fatigue, runny nose, and dry eyes. Most symptom after the course was eye fatigue.…”

“…The major symptoms experienced during the course were eye fatigue, runny nose, and dry eyes. The most common symptom 6 months after the course was eye fatigue (14).…”