Formaldehyde exposure, acute pulmonary response, and exposure control options in a gross anatomy laboratory.
Formaldehyde exposure, acute pulmonary response, and exposure control options were evaluated in a group of 34 workers in a gross anatomy laboratory. Time-weighted average (TWA) exposure to formaldehyde ranged from 0.07-2.94 parts per million (ppm) during dissecting operations. More than 94% were exposed to formaldehyde in excess of the ceiling value of 0.3 ppm recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). The eight-hour TWA exposure of 31.7% of the subjects exceeded the action level of 0.5 ppm set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Reported symptoms included irritation of eye (88%), nose (74%), throat (29%), and airways (21%). Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 3 seconds (FEV3) decreased, and FEV1/FVC increased during the exposure. The changes of FEV3 were statistically different from those of the controls. The results strongly support the necessity for designing and testing special local exhaust-ventilated worktables with necessary flexibility for dissecting operations.
Akbar-Khanzadeh
F
F
Medical College of Ohio, School of Allied Health, Occupational Health Program, Toledo 43699-0008.
Vaquerano
M U
MU
Akbar-Khanzadeh
M
M
Bisesi
M S
MS
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000715:Anatomy; D005180:Faculty, Medical; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008450:Maximal Midexpiratory Flow Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D000432:Methanol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D019800:Phenol; D010636:Phenols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D012577:Schools, Medical; D013337:Students, Medical; D013997:Time Factors; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000187:drug effects
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D010636:Phenols; D005557:Formaldehyde; D019800:Phenol; D000432:Methanol