[Occupational exposure to formaldehyde at a service of pathologic anatomy].
OBJECTIVE
Aim of the present study is to evaluate the air pollution produced by formaldehyde in pathological anatomy.


METHODS
This study was made with instrumental approach based on environmental evaluation of 10% formaldehyde used in pathological anatomy, by an infrared gas analyser (Brüel & Kjaer), and clinical approach of pathological anatomy personnel.


RESULTS
The final result is not very comforting because we found values of formaldehyde during specific activities which exeeded the current limits proposed by industrial hygienist, infact we found in a different settings 1.81 ppm, 3.78 ppm, 8.3.05 ppm. The personnel exposed reported subjective symptoms as reactive airway symptoms, headache, skin problems.


CONCLUSIONS
To reduce air pollution we have indicated technical precautions as forced ventilation which is a major engineering control for reducing risk from chemical agents, use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as last resort for protection, behavioral rules and health surveillance.
Proietti
L
L
Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e Patologie sistemiche, Sezione di Medicina del Lavoro Università degli Studi di Catania.
Sandonà
P B
PB
Longo
B
B
Gulino
S
S
Duscio
D
D
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D005404:Fixatives / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D010338:Pathology, Clinical
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D005404:Fixatives; D005557:Formaldehyde