Evaluation and control of formaldehyde exposures in a modern university anatomy laboratory

A functional understanding of human anatomy is fundamental for students studying health and medical sciences. Formalin, which is a formaldehyde-saturated solution, continues to be used for the preservation and disinfection of human specimens for teaching because other formalin substitutes are not readily available, practical, or preferred. The continued use of formalin exposes anatomy technicians who dissect human specimens to acute and chronic health effects, which has led to Australia's national government policy agency, Safe Work Australia, to pursue lower permitted airborne formaldehyde workplace exposure limits (WEL). During this study, 14 personal airborne samples were collected to calculate the geometric mean and 95th percentile of the formaldehyde 8-hr time-weighted average (8-hr TWA) and short-term exposure limit (STEL) for comparison to the current Australian WES and proposed Australian formaldehyde WELs. Three participants were recruited for the study and participated in formaldehyde air sampling and completed a questionnaire after each monitoring session to report formaldehyde exposure symptoms. The calculated 8-hr TWA and STEL geometric means were 1.1 and 1.4 ppm respectively, and the 95th percentile of both the 8-hr TWA and STEL exceeded the current Australian WES and proposed WELs. Questionnaire responses identified participants had experienced formaldehyde exposure symptoms related to itching eyes, inflamed eyes, headaches, and discomfort during dissection. Lower formaldehyde concentrations were identified during dissection in a dedicated dissection room where a partially effective dissection table with downdraft local exhaust ventilation and a laboratory fume hood were utilized, compared to teaching rooms with no local exhaust ventilation system. Formalin use continues to remain an occupational hazard for anatomy technicians who perform dissection, and careful attention is required toward implementing effective control measures such as substituting formalin with other suitable solutions, reducing formalin concentrations in embalming solutions, installing local exhaust ventilation systems, and using suitable personal protective equipment.