Controlling Formaldehyde Exposures in an Academic Gross Anatomy Laboratory

Abstract

This report describes efforts over a more than a 15-year period to improve air quality and reduce exposures to formaldehyde during anatomical dissections at the Yale University School of Medicine, including first-year medical student gross anatomy classes. During this time, a number of steps were taken to improve general ventilation system efficiency and work practices in the original facility. Subsequently, during the design phase for a new research and teaching building, a new anatomical laboratory was planned to incorporate 42 individually ventilated dissection tables. The tables were customized from a commercially available design to operate at lower volumetric airflow rates while still providing a high degree of formaldehyde containment. Air monitoring performed throughout this time period showed progressive reductions in formaldehyde exposure as ventilation modifications were made. However, significant reductions only occurred after the installation of the ventilated tables. Personal and area exposure monitoring during thoracic and abdominal dissections now show a five- to tenfold reduction in formaldehyde exposure compared to previous operations, with exposures consistently below 0.1 ppm.

Formaldehyde exposure in gross anatomy laboratory of Suranaree University of Technology: a comparison of area and personal sampling

“…Normally, 10 air changes per hour was set up for the specific room including gross anatomy dissection room (Yamato et al 2005). Although the ventilation rate of this study was rather lower those of reports which were 9.8 (Keil et al 2001) or 20.5 air changes per hour (Klein et al 2014), the FA concentration in our fixative solution was 5 % FA and this was lower than Keil's study. Normally, preserved cadavers were prepared with similar embalming fluid containing approximately 10 % FA.…”

“…The local exhaust ventilation was controlled vapor of organic liquid and kept the occupational exposure limit below 0.1 ppm. In our study, the room's ventilation flow rate improved the FA concentration in the indoor air as in a report of Klein et al (2014). The activity and region of dissection involved the level of FA indoor air; there was previous report that the FA concentration in indoor air were ranged from 0.48 to 1.11 ppm during systemic anatomy and from 0.21 to 0.23 ppm during neuroanatomy, respectively (Takayanagi et al 2007).…”

“…However, our room ventilation rate was better than a report by Ohimichi et al (3.2 air changes per hour). There were reports which worked to reduce FA exposure during anatomy dissection by changing the embalmic chemicals, either perfusing bodies with a less noxious fixative that contain less FA (Coleman 1995;Coleman and Kogan 1998;Whitehead and Savoia 2008), reorienting general room ventilation supply and exhaust diffusers, local exhaust ventilation, and increasing the room general ventilation rated (Yamato et al 2005;Klein et al 2014). The local exhaust ventilation was controlled vapor of organic liquid and kept the occupational exposure limit below 0.1 ppm.…”

Could formaldehyde induce mutagenic and cytotoxic effects in buccal epithelial cells during anatomy classes?

“…However, after 1 and 3.5 months of contact, this research showed that the mutagenicity not only occurred after the first month, but also increased after that. These data reinforce the importance of improving air quality and reduce exposures during anatomical dissections and anatomy practical classes (7). It is important to stress that occupational exposure to FA evaluated by other investigations (1,26-29) presented greater contact time with formaldehyde and its concentration in the air was higher than those found for anatomy students, which differentiate them from this research.…”

“…Due to increased exposure, which occurs in factories, hospitals and universities, several researches have been studying the potential toxicity and the safe levels for human beings (6). At the same time, efforts have been made to improve air quality and reduce exposures during anatomical dissections and anatomy classes (7). …”