Evaluation of methods to reduce formaldehyde levels of cadavers in the dissection laboratory

Abstract

Dissection of conventionally embalmed cadavers exposes students, staff, and faculty to formaldehyde, a probable carcinogen. Therefore, prudent practices should seek to minimize formaldehyde exposure. In this study, we evaluated two commercially available chemicals, InfuTrace and Perfect Solution, for their effectiveness in reducing ambient formaldehyde levels. Four cadavers embalmed conventionally with formaldehyde and/or with the above agents were compared for their formaldehyde levels under conditions that strictly controlled for air circulation and for locations and methods of testing, and during activities that simulated student dissecting. For InfuTrace, one cadaver was reinfused with InfuTrace after initial standard perfusion with formaldehyde; a second cadaver had InfuTrace injected into the thoracic and abdominal body cavities after formaldehyde perfusion. For Perfect Solution, the product was used for embalming a third cadaver in lieu of formaldehyde. For a control, a fourth cadaver was embalmed with the standard formaldehyde solution. Testing of personal and ambient room air samples and of fluid obtained from the cadavers was performed and analyzed in a blinded fashion. Results indicated that both Perfect Solution, substituted for standard formaldehyde embalming, and InfuTrace infused through the vasculature after formaldehyde embalming, resulted in lower concentrations of formaldehyde than embalming with formaldehyde solution alone or in combination with body cavity injection of InfuTrace. These differences in formaldehyde concentrations are consistent across measuring methods, for example, of room air, of breathing zone air during cadaver handling and dissection, and of liquid samples obtained from the cadavers. Perfect Solution yielded suboptimum fixation and a different texture, color, and smell than the formaldehyde treatments.

Novel embalming solution for neurosurgical simulation in cadavers

“…7 Airborne formaldehyde is the most harmful volatile chemical among those included in the present study and has the strictest biohazard security control codes. 3,7,19,22 Many institutions and government regulations have considered it to be a carcinogenic agent. 3,5,7,10,11,15,19,22 Although formaldehyde is still needed to prevent microorganism growth (especially fungi), formaldehyde content in the customized embalming fluid described here was almost 80% less than in a conventional formaldehyde mixture.…”

“…Additionally, many studies have reported that long-term exposure to high airborne formaldehyde concentrations in the laboratory is hazardous. 6,9,10,11,15 In 2006, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) 22 and the US Environmental Protection Agency 19 classified formaldehyde as a probable human carcinogen.…”

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

“…Selected studies have shown that the levels of airbone FA in anatomy laboratories exceed recommended exposure criteria 0.05 ppm limit (3, 9,10,11,12,19,23,25,26,27,28,29,31,32,33). These are primarily caused by evaporation of formaldehyde used for the preservation of tissues and specimens.…”

“…Researchers evaluated two chemicals, InfuTrace and Perfect Solution, for their effectiveness in reducing ambient formaldehyde levels (26).…”

Suitability of Ethanol-Glycerin Embalming Cadavers for the Training of Human Anatomy

“…화 학적 특성과 차이를 넘어서 방부액은 장기 및 조직이 원래 의 색깔을 유지해야 하고 과도하게 경화되는 것을 방지하 는 등 오랜 기간 동안 구조적 보존이 가능해야 한다 [13]. [19], 이소프로판올 (isopropanol) [20], 메탄올 (methanol) [21], 페녹시에탄올 (phenoxyethanol) [22] 과 상품으로 시판 중인 고정액 [23,24] (Table 2). (Fig.…”