Acute Adverse Effects of Formaldehyde Treated Cadaver on New Innovative Medical Students and Anatomy Staff Members in the Dissection Hall at Wollo University, Northeast Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction: Formaldehyde is the most frequently used chemical for the preservation of a cadaver. However, its toxicity in the dissection hall is frequently ignored. Objective: To assess the acute adverse effects of formaldehyde treated cadaver on preclinical new innovative medical students and anatomy staff members in the dissection hall at Wollo University, Ethiopia. Methods: This institutional-based cross-sectional study was carried out from January 20 to February 25, 2020. A total of 88 study participants were surveyed at the department of Human Anatomy, Wollo University, Ethiopia. The participants were those who were exposed to formaldehyde vapors during the dissection of a cadaver in the dissection hall. A selfadministered questionnaire which contains the clinical symptoms observed after formaldehyde exposure was used to collect data. The data were entered into EpiData version 4.2 and then exported to SPSS Version 21 for analysis. Finally, the data were expressed in texts, tables, and figures. Results: The study comprised 84 (95.5%) male and 4 (4.5%) female. In this study, the top three most common acute adverse effects of formaldehyde during dissection of a cadaver in the cadaver room were unpleasant smells, Tiredness/dizziness, and watering of eyes (lacrimation), each accounted for 64 (72.7%), 39 (44.3%) and 35 (39.8%), respectively. The other acute adverse effects were running nose with tingling sensation 27 (30.7%) followed by lack of concentration 24 (27.3%) and headache 22 (25%). Conclusion:In dissection hall, preclinical medical students and instructors are at high risk to develop various acute adverse symptoms of formaldehyde. Therefore, a free-aldehyde preservation solution should be assumed to prevent its toxicity.

Integrated Educational Technology in Teaching Anatomy Using the ASIC Framework: A Case Study from VinUniversity

“… 25 They address various shortcomings of using formaldehyde-treated cadavers, including unpleasant smells, tiredness/dizziness, lacrimation, and excessive cost of keeping the facility up to the standard for safety regulations. 26 While virtual models in CA software and Pirogov table are graphical representations of the human body, plastination gives learners a real perspective of anatomy. Whenever students need to identify and examine anatomical structures on plastinated cadavers, they could project a model next to the plastinated specimens using the AR function of CA software or look them up in the virtual 3D atlas on CA software or Pirogov table for further investigation.…”

Antiseptic drugs and disinfectants with experience of the second year of COVID-19 pandemic-related side effects

“…The indoor air levels during anatomy dissection sessions may exceed occupational exposure limits and short-term exposure limits for the general population with unpleasant odor, eye and nose irritation and inability to concentrate frequently reported as symptoms ( Aung et al, 2021 ) [C]. Similar symptoms were described as adverse effects of formaldehyde in preclinical medical students working in a dissection room ( Tiruneh, 2021 ) [c]. Successful implementation of interventions to reduce occupational exposure to formaldehyde in a hospital pathology laboratory including improved ventilation and protocol modifications was reported ( d'Ettorre et al, 2021 ) [E].…”

Simple and fast microderivatization method for determining formaldehyde using narrow-bore liquid chromatography with UV detection

“…1,2 Formaldehyde is a harmful substance that can irritate the mucous membranes of the human eye, nose, throat, and upper respiratory tract. [3][4][5][6] In a clinical setting, high formaldehyde levels signicantly increase the likelihood of developing upper respiratory sick building syndrome. 7,8 Previous studies have shown that formaldehyde exposure has genotoxic effects, which are associated with several diseases, such as contact allergy, 9,10 asthma, 11,12 leukemia, 13,14 cancer, 15,16 and brain/neuron disorders.…”