title: [Vertical distribution of formaldehyde concentration and simulated temperature and wind velocity from computational fluid dynamics in a gross anatomy laboratory].
abstract: Cadavers for gross anatomy laboratories are typically embalmed in formaldehyde. Thus, medical students and instructors are exposed to formaldehyde vapors emitted from cadavers during dissection. In an attempt to improve the dissection environment, we examined indoor formaldehyde concentrations in a gross anatomy laboratory. Air samples were taken from 20, 110, 160, and 230 cm above the floor between dissection beds to represent areas near the floor, in the breathing zone of sitting students, in the breathing zone of standing students, and near the ceiling, respectively. Formaldehyde vapors were thoroughly diffused from the floor to the ceiling, suggesting that medical students are exposed to similar concentrations of formaldehyde based on distance from the floor. Computational fluid dynamics showed that cadavers are warmed by overhead fluorescent lights and the body heat of anatomy students, and indicated that the diffusion of formaldehyde vapors is increased by lighting and the body temperature of students. Computational fluid dynamics showed that gentle convection from anatomy students and cadavers carry formaldehyde vapors upward; downward flow near admission ports diffuse formaldehyde vapors from the ceiling to the floor in the anatomy laboratory.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Toho University.
authors.forename: Masaaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takayanagi
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fujita
authors.forename: Tsunebumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mikuni
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.forename: Youichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ishikawa
authors.forename: Kunio
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Murakami
authors.forename: Akihiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Sachiko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kakuta
authors.forename: Fumi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sato
mesh_terms: D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000715:Anatomy; D002102:Cadaver; D005404:Fixatives / Q000032:analysis*; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories; D008029:Lighting; D055585:Physical Phenomena; D010825:Physics; D012577:Schools, Medical; D013696:Temperature; D014835:Volatilization; D014919:Wind
chemical_list: D005404:Fixatives; D005557:Formaldehyde