Physical Reactions of Formalin Used as Cadaver Preservative on First Year Medical Students

Patil, Girish V.; Shishirkumar, Shishirkumar; Thejeshwari, Thejeshwari; Apoorva, D; Sharif, Javed; Sheshgiri, C.; Sushant, N K

doi:10.18410/jebmh/2014/44

Cited by 8 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…In addition, in this study it was also observed that most of the students experienced lacrimation and irritation of the eye. This observation was similar with finding of Patil et al [11] who reported that toxic effect (irritation and watering of eyes) is first to be appear and most commonly seen in the study group, and it also sometimes prevents the students to come nearer to the dissecting cadaver. It was also observed that, most of the students attended in the cadaver dissection complained of running nose, headache and itching in skin.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Similar results were also reported by Mrudula and Krishnaiah [10] and Patil et al [11] which was 67% and 82% respectively. In addition, in this study it was also observed that most of the students experienced lacrimation and irritation of the eye.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Similar studies on formalin exposure conducted in Teheran and India was reported as cough (64%), throat irritation (56%), unusual tiredness (31.92%), headache (62.77%) and Nausea (38.3%) subjects [8,9]. Different scholars also argued that, inhalation and exposure of formalin in large doses or exposure for long period of time in low doses results in irritation of lower respiratory tract and has posed risks of cancer particularly the upper respiratory tract [11,13]. Dry or sore throat, nasal itching and burning, and nasal congestion are evidenced as signs and symptoms of toxic effects of formaldehyde in upper respiratory system [2].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of Formalin Toxicity among Preclinical I Medical Students, Adigrat University, Ethiopia

Hagos¹,

Gebeya²,

Teklay³

2018

ijSciences

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Introduction:Formalin is a colorless gas with a pungent odor. Because of its germicidal efficacy it is widely used as a preservative for human cadaver in the anatomy laboratory. Acute exposure to formaldehyde results in irritation and burning of the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, upper respiratory tract, depression, headache, nausea, coughing, irritation and burns to the skin and eye. Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of formalin toxicity among preclinical-I medical students in Adigrat University, Northern Ethiopia. Methodology: The study was conducted in anatomy laboratory, Adigrat University, Northern Ethiopia, which is located 894 Km from the capital Addis Ababa. Cross sectional study design was utilized for this study. It was carried out on 96 preclinical-I medical students who were routinely exposed to formalin during cadaver dissection. Result: In this study highest investigation was responded as unpleasant smell which accounts for 84.4% students followed by tingling sensation of the nose that is 78.1%. Effect of formalin on burning /watering of eye 67.7% and tiredness/dizziness 65.6% were also higher. Moreover, the data was showed that the effects of formalin accounts 17.7%, 16.7% and 6.25%, for abdominal pain, vomiting and fainting episodes, respectively. Conclusion: Anatomists, technicians and medical students who get regularly exposure to formalin at the dissection hall are at risk of formalin toxicity. Exposure to formalin vapour causes eye, nose, throat, and skin problems to the medical students. Therefore, this study reveals that the concerned bodies should take care of the side effects of formalin exposure.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of Formalin Toxicity among Preclinical I Medical Students, Adigrat University, Ethiopia

Hagos¹,

Gebeya²,

Teklay³

2018

ijSciences

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“…(3) These substances have specific roles like fixation, preservation, denaturation, disinfection, and maintenance of integrity of anatomic relations required for dissection purpose. (4) It is generally infused via femoral arteries.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Harmful Effects of Formalin on First MBBS Students: A Questionnaire Study

Bharadwaja¹,

Bafna²

2016

jemds

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Formalin is extensively used preservative for cadavers in Department of Anatomy. Formalin after evaporation from embalmed bodies turns into fumes and is responsible for harmful effects. The present study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy at JLN Medical College, Ajmer. A questionnaire containing 15 symptoms arising due to inhalation of formalin fumes was prepared and distributed to 50 students. The most distressing symptom was congestion/running nose and redness of eyes/itching of eyes. The harmful effects of formalin can be reduced by some preventive measures like good exhaust ventilation by reducing the concentration of formalin in embalming fluid or using alternative for formalin in the form of phenoxyethanol.

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“…Formalin is the commonest preservative used for embalming and is the main component of the embalming fluid which is usually made up of a different chemical compounds including fixatives, preservatives, germicides, buffers, wetting agents, anticoagulants and dyes [2]. The embalming fluid is usually infused via the femoral arteries or the internal carotid arteries to prevent the denaturation of the cadavers by solidification of tissue proteins, disinfection and maintenance of the integrity of the anatomic relations [3,4]. During an anatomy class, the evaporation of formalaldehyde from cadavers and embalming fluid could adversely affect students and staff's health [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health adverse effects of formaldehyde exposure to students and staff in gross anatomy

Alnagar¹,

Shmela²,

Alrtib³

et al. 2018

int.jour.sci.res.mana.

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Abstract:Formaldehyde is an anxious gas used as a tissue preservative of cadavers in anatomy halls. Therefore, laboratory staff and students are at high risk of different clinical complications due to the continuous exposure to formaldehyde. The present questionnaire-based study evaluates the effects of formaldehyde exposure on veterinary students and staff in the anatomy gross dissection laboratory, University of Tripoli, Libya. A total of 104 students and 6 anatomy staff members completed a questionnaire of 24 questions related to the clinical symptoms observed after formaldehyde exposure and the answers were assessed using a six point (0-5) scale. Students had a high prevalence of nasal itching 78(75%), eyes burning 78(75%), excessive lacrimation 76(73%), eyes redness 60(58%), headache 64(62%) and respiratory distress 61(59%). Smoking and wearing glasses or gloves worsened many symptoms while wearing masks minimized other symptoms and male students were more affected than females. All anatomy staff members (100%) reported nasal itching, burning and congestion, eyes burning and redness, excessive lacrimation, cough and respiratory distress and less than that (83%) suffered from mouth dryness, headache, temporary loss of their ability to recognize the smell of formaldehyde and needed a physician assistance after the exposure to formaldehyde. The repeated exposure to formaldehyde in gross anatomy dissection has harmful effects on both students and staff member and finding alternative preservation methods, such as freezing, would be safer than using the formaldehyde.

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Physical Reactions of Formalin Used as Cadaver Preservative on First Year Medical Students

Cited by 8 publications

References 5 publications

Effects of Formalin Toxicity among Preclinical I Medical Students, Adigrat University, Ethiopia

Effects of Formalin Toxicity among Preclinical I Medical Students, Adigrat University, Ethiopia

Harmful Effects of Formalin on First MBBS Students: A Questionnaire Study

Health adverse effects of formaldehyde exposure to students and staff in gross anatomy

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