Formaldehyde concentrations in biology department teaching facilities

Journal Article · Fri May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987 · Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01616719· OSTI ID:5619948

Korky, J K; Schwarz, S R; Lustigman, B K

As students and faculty in the biological sciences can attest, low grade exposure to formaldehyde by skin contact and inhalation during dissection is quite irritating. Health effects noted upon exposure to formaldehyde at concentrations of 0.1 to 5 ppm are burning of the eyes, lacrimation, and general irritation to the upper respiratory passages. Symptoms reported for higher exposures, 10 to 20 ppm, include coughing, tightening of the chest, headache and palpitation of the heart. Long exposures at 50 to 100 ppm or more might result in pulmonary edema, pneumonitis, and even death. There is also concern with regard to potential long term detrimental effects. Formaldehyde has been cited as a possible carcinogen in animals. It is a known mutagen in laboratory experimental systems involving Drosophilia, grasshoppers, flowering plants, fungi and bacteria. Animal testing has led investigators to postulate that the primary damage resulting from formaldehyde exposure may involve DNA synthesis and ribosomal RNA transcription. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (NIOSH) investigators have been studying occupational exposure to formaldehyde for over a decade in a variety of industries. This study was undertaken to assess formaldehyde concentrations in biology department dissecting facilities in the 1982-1983 academic year in order if routine dissection produces levels of formaldehyde which were unsafe according to NIOSH and OSHA standards. Chronic formaldehyde exposure is cause for greater concern than incidental exposure.

• Research Organization: Montclair State College, NJ
• OSTI ID: 5619948
• Journal Information: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States), Vol. 38:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
FORMALDEHYDE
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
INHALATION
SAFETY STANDARDS
SCHOOL BUILDINGS
SKIN
AIR POLLUTION
ALDEHYDES
BODY
BUILDINGS
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
INTAKE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
POLLUTION
STANDARDS
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
500200 - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)