title: Formaldehyde vapor exposures in anatomy laboratories.
abstract: This study examined formaldehyde vapor exposures that occurred in the gross anatomy laboratories of a major medical school during a 12-week study period. Formaldehyde samples were collected using personal sampling pumps to draw air through midget impingers containing a 0.1% solution of sodium bisulfite dissolved in deionized water as the absorbing medium. Breathing zone and ambient air samples were collected and analyzed from 8 laboratories on a rotating basis. Analysis was via the chromotropic acid method recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. It was found that 44% of all breathing zone samples were greater than the 1.0 ppm ceiling value for occupational exposure recently recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Only 11% of ambient air samples were in excess of 1.0 ppm.
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D000715:Anatomy / Q000193:education*; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000032:analysis*; D007753:Laboratories; D014835:Volatilization
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D005557:Formaldehyde