Low cost and effective reduction of formaldehyde in gross anatomy: long throw nozzles and formaldehyde destruction using InfuTrace™

Abstract

Formaldehyde is extraordinarily effective for fixation of human corpses and is routinely used in embalming solutions in anatomical dissection courses all over the world. High concentrations in vapors emitted from corpses embalmed with formaldehyde make it necessary to reduce the emission from cadavers for fulfilling tightening permissible exposure limits (PEL) worldwide. The study provides possible solutions to a problem faced by many anatomy labs. The emission of 50 human corpses was examined using 240 active personal and stationary samples with sampling tubes placed in the breathing area of probands or directly above the corpses. For measuring formaldehyde exposures along the dissection course, air samples were collected during the progress of dissection. Best results were achieved by a combination of post-embalming treatment with InfuTrace™, a formaldehyde binding solution applied to corpses fixed with 3% formaldehyde, and a modified ventilation system consisting of three long throw nozzles mounted vertically at the ceiling above the longitudinal axis of each dissection table. In this scenario, the inhalative exposure for students and teachers did not exceed 0.1 ppm during muscle dissection and 0.041 ppm during organ dissection, which are both dissection steps linked to high emission rates. The data emphasizes the necessity to use a combination of different methodschemical polymerization of formaldehyde combined with a modified ventilation systemto reduce formaldehyde air loads far below the German PEL (0.3 ppm) and even the Japanese PEL (0.1 ppm) when using a standard 3%-formaldehyde fixation.

Indoor Formaldehyde Concentration, Personal Formaldehyde Exposure and Clinical Symptoms during Anatomy Dissection Sessions, University of Medicine 1, Yangon

“…This discrepancy could be due to differences in some characteristics such as dimensions of dissection halls or rooms, types of forced ventilation [ 23 ] and number of cadavers in the dissection rooms [ 21 ]. Recently, a study in Germany reported that using both improved ventilation and a polymerized FA method in dissection rooms kept the indoor air concentration below the critical values [ 34 ]. Table 2 shows the comparison of indoor FA concentrations among different studies with respect to some characteristics of the dissection rooms.…”

The chemicals between us—First results of the cluster analyses on anatomy embalming procedures in the German‐speaking countries

“…A last aspect to consider here is the operating economy, both from an ecological and fiscal perspective. Air nozzles or ventilation slits 5,24 may offer advantages here. In consequence, an asymmetric installation of air ventilation systems in the mortuary and dissection laboratory should be critically considered to address the needs of chemical exposure, working comfort, tissue preservation, and operating economy.…”

“…Of interest, none of the anatomies surveyed from the DACH region responded that they would use chemical measures to lower an (existing) high formaldehyde exposure, e.g., using InfuTrace™ (American Bio-Safety, Rocklin, CA, USA) 5,40 or monoethanolamine. 41 The specific reason for this lack of use remains obscure.…”

“…Lower room temperature also helps to decrease the effective concentrations of formaldehyde irrespective of the protocol being used. 5,49 Our hypothesis, therefore, is that key infrastructural features such as specific air ventilation systems, room temperature, or explosion-proof installations have a strong impact on the embalming protocol.…”

“…4,18,25 However, the success of formaldehyde reduction is complex and depends on a variety of factors. 5,24 In consequence, effective measures for lowering formaldehyde or other chemical exposure used by some institutions rendering effective are of interest to the broader community of anatomists. Contemporary embalming protocols are not only used based on departmental history and evolution over time, but also on the limitations given by the facility infrastructure, working experience, the legal framework and, potentially influence the criteria under which bodies are accepted post-mortem.…”