Changes in Work Practices for Safe Use of Formaldehyde in a University-Based Anatomy Teaching and Research Facility

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Paul T J ScheepersAlbert van Linge

Abstract

Anatomy teaching and research relies on the use of formaldehyde (FA) as a preservation agent for human and animal tissues. Due to the recent classification of FA as a carcinogen, university hospitals are facing a challenge to (further) reduce exposure to FA. The aim of this study was to reduce exposure to FA in the anatomy teaching and research facility. Workers participated in the development of improved work practices, both technical and organizational solutions. Over a period of 6 years mitigating measures were introduced, including improvement of a down-flow ventilation system, introduction of local exhaust ventilation, collection of drain liquid from displayed specimens in closed containers and leak prevention. Furthermore, some organizational changes were made to reduce the number of FA peak exposures. Stationary and personal air sampling was performed in three different campaigns to assess the effect of these new work practices on inhalation exposure to FA. Samples were collected over 8 h (full shift) and 15 min (task-based) to support mitigation of exposure and improvement of work practices. Air was collected on an adsorbent coated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) and analyzed by HPLC-UV. Geometric mean (GM) conce...Continue Reading

References

Mar 1, 1989·The Science of the Total Environment·G TriebigH Valentin
Nov 1, 1985·Journal of Occupational Medicine. : Official Publication of the Industrial Medical Association·J L Perkins, J D Kimbrough
Dec 1, 1983·American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal·C M Skisak
Oct 16, 2001·Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene·C B KeilK A Konecny
Dec 24, 2002·Environmental Health : a Global Access Science Source·Ligita Maroziene, Regina Grazuleviciene
Apr 15, 2006·Environmental Science and Pollution Research International·Kimihide OhmichiChisato Mori
Jul 4, 2006·Mutation Research·H NorppaA Fucic
Nov 26, 2009·Journal of the National Cancer Institute·Michael HauptmannRichard B Hayes
Jan 9, 2010·Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : a Publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, Cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology·Luoping ZhangQing Lan
Aug 25, 2010·Anatomical Science International·Makiko TakahashiYuji Nakajima
Apr 7, 2011·International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health·Muhammad Saeed Vohra
Jul 27, 2011·Mutation Research·Anh DuongLuoping Zhang
Mar 26, 2013·Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health·Ludovit MusakPavel Vodicka
Feb 14, 2014·Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene·Robert C KleinPaula Castagna
Mar 19, 2014·Contact Dermatitis·Ulrik Fischer FriisJeanne Duus Johansen
Aug 4, 2015·Environmental Science and Pollution Research International·Naruwan SaowakonRachain Kosanlavit
Sep 17, 2015·Clinical Anatomy : Official Journal of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists & the British Association of Clinical Anatomists·Matthew J HaffnerR Shane Tubbs
Feb 11, 2016·Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene·Wenhai Xu, Erica J Stewart
May 23, 2016·Archives of Toxicology·Gunnar Damgård NielsenPeder Wolkoff
Dec 6, 2016·Medicina oral, patología oral y cirugía bucal·D-C LorenzoniL-N da Gama-de-Souza
May 10, 2017·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Paul T J ScheepersRob B M Anzion
Feb 10, 2018·Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine·Soon-Chan KwonJungsun Park

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jul 13, 2019·Journal of Anatomy·Vincent VarletSilke Grabherr
Jan 26, 2021·Frontiers in Public Health·M Abbas Virji, Laura Kurth
Aug 30, 2021·Spectrochimica Acta. Part A, Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy·Yansong WangXuechuan Wang

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
chromosomal aberrations
dissection

Software Mentioned

IHSTAT

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.