Subjective Symptoms of Medical Students Exposed to Formaldehyde during a Gross Anatomy Dissection Course

Chen, Wei; Harada, Kazunori; Ohmori, Shoko; Wei, Qingjun; Minamoto, Keiko; Ueda, Akihiko

doi:10.1177/03946320070200s205

Cited by 22 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…(11) Wei et al observed that symptoms due to formalin exposure are dependent on time spent in dissection hall and suggested to reducing time spent while dissection could reduce symptoms. (12) Since formaldehyde is toxic, search for alternative and safer fixative was done. Frolich et al in 1984 discovered nontoxic phenoxyethanol, but it took approximately 600 litres for fixing a cadaver and continuous immersion for 5-10 months was required thus eliminating its practical use.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Harmful Effects of Formalin on First MBBS Students: A Questionnaire Study

Bharadwaja¹,

Bafna²

2016

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Formalin is extensively used preservative for cadavers in Department of Anatomy. Formalin after evaporation from embalmed bodies turns into fumes and is responsible for harmful effects. The present study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy at JLN Medical College, Ajmer. A questionnaire containing 15 symptoms arising due to inhalation of formalin fumes was prepared and distributed to 50 students. The most distressing symptom was congestion/running nose and redness of eyes/itching of eyes. The harmful effects of formalin can be reduced by some preventive measures like good exhaust ventilation by reducing the concentration of formalin in embalming fluid or using alternative for formalin in the form of phenoxyethanol.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Harmful Effects of Formalin on First MBBS Students: A Questionnaire Study

Bharadwaja¹,

Bafna²

2016

jemds

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“…; Wei et al. ; Khaliq & Tripathi, ; Lakchayapakorn & Watchalayarn, ; Ahmed, ; Mirabelli et al. ; Vohra, ; Raja & Sultana, ).…”

Section: Preservatives or Fixativesunclassified

Human body preservation – old and new techniques

2014

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This review deals with the art of (anatomical) embalming. The first part contains a brief historical review of the history of embalming, starting with ancient cultures such as the Egyptians and the lesser known Chinchorro culture, then going down the centuries and describing the anatomical techniques developed over the last two centuries. The second part deals in detail with the chemicals used for embalming purposes. The third part deals with several approaches to evaluating embalming methods, their suitability for biomechanical testing, antimicrobial properties, histological appearance, and usability. The fourth and final part analyze the European Biocidal Products Directive (98/8/EC) in the light of embalming.

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“…Wei CN et al observed that manifestations because of formalin presentation were subject to time spent in dissection hall and proposed that lessening time spent while dissection could reduce symptoms. [16] Finding an alternative for formalin is likewise a decent choice to avert unsafe impacts of formaldehyde. Glutaraldehyde would be a reasonable option with similar fixation qualities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Noxious Effects of Formalin Treated Cadavers on Medical Students During Dissection

Jain¹,

Jain²,

Marskole³

2017

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BACKGROUNDA cadaver is preserved via the infusion of formalin, which contains formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is colourless and flammable gas, which has an irritating and pungent smell. Formalin after evaporation from the embalmed bodies turns into fumes and is responsible for health hazard for all medical students and faculties.The aim of this study was to find out and quantify the noxious effects of formalin. MATERIALS AND METHODSThe present study was conducted on 140 medical students, who were unconsciously routinely exposed to formaldehyde fumes for two hours daily (6 days in a week) during dissection. They were asked to fill up the questionnaires, which were related to symptoms arising due to inhalation of formaldehyde fumes within the dissection hall. RESULTSIn our study, 79.28% students have reported excessive lacrimation and also felt that it was the most irritating and troublesome symptom (57.14%). The unpleasant smell was felt by 76.42% students and 63.57% students experienced that it was the first symptom to develop. Other symptoms reported were running nose (62.14%), itching sensation in eyes (68.57%), cough (18.57%), sore throat (20.71%), difficulty in breathing (24.28%) and headache (51.42%). CONCLUSIONMedical students are exposed to formaldehyde during their dissection course and exposure to formaldehyde fumes is hazardous to the health of medical students. The harmful effects of formalin can be reduced by some preventive measures like good exhaust ventilation in dissection hall and by wearing protective devices like gloves, masks and aprons, etc. KEYWORDSFormalin, Formaldehyde, Toxicity, Medical Students, Cadaver Preservatives.HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Jain R, Jain A, Marskole S. Noxious effects of formalin treated cadavers on medical students during dissection.

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Subjective Symptoms of Medical Students Exposed to Formaldehyde during a Gross Anatomy Dissection Course

Cited by 22 publications

References 2 publications

Harmful Effects of Formalin on First MBBS Students: A Questionnaire Study

Harmful Effects of Formalin on First MBBS Students: A Questionnaire Study

Human body preservation – old and new techniques

Noxious Effects of Formalin Treated Cadavers on Medical Students During Dissection

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