Formaldehyde exposure in a gross anatomy laboratory

Journal Article · Fri Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1985 · JOM, J. Occup. Med.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00043764-198511000-00013· OSTI ID:5659430

Perkins, J L; Kimbrough, J D

A gross anatomy laboratory for medical students was evaluated for formaldehyde levels throughout its eight-week term. Results indicated that exposures for students and instructors were below the 3-ppm permissible exposure limit (assuming a maximum of five hours of daily exposure) established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. However, about one third of the eight-hour time-weighted-average exposures were greater than 1 ppm under the same assumptions. Exposure levels for students and instructors did not differ. Exposures tended to decrease over the term unless internal cadaver cavities were being dissected. These exposures are significant in light of the recent implication of formaldehyde as an animal carcinogen and the trend to reduce permissible levels to 1 ppm or lower.

• OSTI ID: 5659430
• Journal Information: JOM, J. Occup. Med.; (United States), Vol. 11
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
FORMALDEHYDE
HEALTH HAZARDS
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE CONCENTRATION
ANATOMY
LABORATORIES
MEDICAL PERSONNEL
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
ALDEHYDES
HAZARDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PERSONNEL
SAFETY STANDARDS
STANDARDS
560306* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Man- (-1987)