Comparative Assessment of Formaldehyde Concentrations in Public and Private Mortuaries in Rivers State, Nigeria

Obed-Whyte, Roland; Douglas, KE; Akaranta, Onyewuchi

doi:10.9734/jsrr/2019/v23i230115

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Based on the findings and evaluation, several control measures can be implemented to minimise the risks associated with formaldehyde exposure among workers as both practice and environment were concluded to contribute to the level of formaldehyde. Further control measures might be considered along with the existing controls for an effective protection such as best work practice, and enhancing awareness and training [48] [49]. For example, chemical bottles should be stored away from the work area in a chemical store or chemical cabinet when not in use.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Formaldehyde Exposure, Health Symptoms and Risk Assessment among Hospital Workers in Malaysia

Zain¹,

Azmi²,

Veloo³

et al. 2019

JEP

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Formaldehyde is a chemical commonly used in hospitals as a tissue preservative; histopathology laboratory personnel are therefore among the workers most heavily exposed to formaldehyde. This study measured the formaldehyde exposure through ambient and personal air sampling, assessed the symptoms of poor health as well as estimating the health risk among hospital workers. We conducted a comparative cross-sectional study of both histopathology laboratory (exposed) and administration (nonexposed) workers in four hospitals in the Klang Valley, Selangor, Malaysia. Ambient and personal exposure to formaldehyde was measured using the OSHA 52 and NIOSH 2541 methods, respectively. The 8-hr time-weighted-average formaldehyde concentration was higher in exposed areas (0.25 ± 0.11 ppm) than nonexposed areas (0.08 ± 0.02 ppm). Histopathology workers were exposed to between 140% and 480% higher concentrations of formaldehyde than administration workers. Personal exposure was highest during grossing tasks (0.797 ± 0.436 ppm). A total of 67% of the exposed workers exhibited the same ten health symptoms related to formaldehyde exposure, and 57% of the nonexposed workers reported similar symptoms at their current workplace. Notably, symptoms of eye irritation, headache, drowsiness, and chest tightness were significantly more prevalent (p < 0.05; chi square and Fisher's exact tests) among the exposed workers than the nonexposed workers. Among those with symptoms, 37% of the exposed workers, and 16% of the nonexposed workers believed that the symptoms were related to their current working environment. The noncancer effect of formaldehyde from air inhalation poses a potential risk of eye irritation among exposed workers. The cancer risk was not significant in both groups. Formaldehyde levels and symptoms of poor health were significantly higher among the exposed group.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Formaldehyde Exposure, Health Symptoms and Risk Assessment among Hospital Workers in Malaysia

Zain¹,

Azmi²,

Veloo³

et al. 2019

JEP

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“…During embalmment, formaldehyde is introduced as a fixative in the body tissues of cadavers. This helps to preserve the cadaver by maintaining, as far as possible, a life-like state, and in the process, retaining the normal anatomical relations as are required for dissection purposes (Girish et al, 2014;Roland et al, 2019). Thus anatomists, technicians in biological science laboratories, morticians in embalming centres and medical school students in dissection hall are regularly exposed to formaldehyde (Noha Selim et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Formaldehyde Exposure on Oxidative Stress Markers, Liver and Kidneys of Medical Students during Dissection in Gross Anatomy Laboratory

Olisah

Meludu

Dioka³

2022

Scicom J Med Appl Med Sci

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Background: Medical students are routinely exposed to formaldehyde during their dissecting practical classes and human exposure to formaldehyde is associated with multiple adverse effects. Chronic exposures may cause oxidative stress and may result in some vital organ damage. Materials/Methods: The study included the total class population of the 2017 set of medical students (56 male students) from College of Medicine, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli. These students were recruited immediately after first year, that is, before the commencement of dissection. Baseline samples were collected before exposure to formaldehyde. Subsequent samples were collected at one month, three and six-month intervals. All samples were collected immediately after dissection at the required period. The dissection periods are two times per week each lasting for 3 hours (1-4 pm). Eight millilitres (8 ml) of fasting blood samples were collected from all subjects by sterile disposable syringes into a sterile plain container and allowed to clot, retracted and centrifuge at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes. Thereafter, serum was separated into two aliquots. One part of the samples were stored at -20 ˚C for analysis of oxidative stress markers (GPx, SOD and MDA) within two weeks of collection, while the remaining aliquot was stored at -20 ˚C and used for the analysis of liver and kidney markers. Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS version 2021. Results: Glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were significantly reduced after one and three-month periodic exposures when compared with the baseline study. Malondialdehyde (MDA) level was significantly lower when the baseline study was compared with the one month and three-month exposure but does not differ significantly from that of six-month exposures. The activity of ALT was significantly higher after one and three-month periodic exposures when compared with the baseline study. However, when the baseline study was compared with six-month exposures, it was not significant. When the activities of AST, ALP and other liver markers which include albumin, AFP, total protein, conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin of baseline study were compared with the one, three and six-month periodic exposures, it was not statistically significant across all groups. When the concentrations of the serum electrolytes of the baseline study were compared with one, three and six-month periodic exposures, it was not statistically significant. However, the concentration of urea was found to be significant when one-month periodic exposures were compared with the baseline study.

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Riesgos de exposición al formaldehído en el personal de salud

Infantes Vizcarra,

Acosta Conchucos

2023

LATAM

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El formaldehído (FA) es una sustancia química de amplio uso a nivel mundial, altamente volátil, irritable e inflamable. En el ámbito sanitario, se utiliza principalmente como fijador de muestras histológicas, debido a sus propiedades desinfectante, perseverante y fijadora. Por sus cualidades y bajo costo, es utilizado frecuentemente en clínicas, hospitales, laboratorios de patología y universidades para las prácticas médicas. La principal vía de ingreso al cuerpo es a través de la inhalación o de la piel, y se oxida rápidamente eliminando en parte por vía urinaria y respiratoria. El uso y contacto rutinario a la exposición del formaldehído ocasiona irritación de la piel, mucosas, tracto respiratorio y ojos. El formaldehído causa genotoxicidad, que se manifiesta en el daño del ADN, lo que genera mutaciones celulares que pueden favorecer el desarrollo de cáncer. El objetivo de este artículo de revisión es generar conciencia sobre los riesgos que presenta el personal de salud al estar expuestos constantemente al formaldehído y mitigar los posibles daños en su integridad física generados por la exposición a este químico.

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Comparative Assessment of Formaldehyde Concentrations in Public and Private Mortuaries in Rivers State, Nigeria

Cited by 3 publications

References 6 publications

Formaldehyde Exposure, Health Symptoms and Risk Assessment among Hospital Workers in Malaysia

Formaldehyde Exposure, Health Symptoms and Risk Assessment among Hospital Workers in Malaysia

Effect of Formaldehyde Exposure on Oxidative Stress Markers, Liver and Kidneys of Medical Students during Dissection in Gross Anatomy Laboratory

Riesgos de exposición al formaldehído en el personal de salud

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