Reducing the levels of formaldehyde exposure in gross anatomy laboratories

✍ Scribed by Coleman, Raymond

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1995
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 419 KB
• Volume: 243
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0003-276X
• DOI: 10.1002/ar.1092430417

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Background: A method is described in which formaldehyde levels are greatly reduced in our gross anatomy laboratory in order to comply with increasingly severe safety and health regulations.

Methods: A novel type of dissection “bed” has been introduced which incorporates an internal motor that causes a downflow of formaldehyderich vapors, which are absorbed by a replaceable active carbon filtration system.

Results: Use of the new dissection “beds” has resulted in the recirculated air being virtually formaldehyde‐free. Formaldehyde vapor levels in our gross anatomy laboratory have been greatly reduced and are typically in the range of 0.03–0.09 ppm.

Conclusions: The new system allows us to comply with safety and health regulations and provide a dissection room with an excellent working environment. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.