Soonklang Nantawan, Saowakon Naruwan
Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand.
School of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Science, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Sep;29(43):65642-65654. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-19704-y. Epub 2022 Apr 30.
Mainly embalming fixative contains formaldehyde which is classified as a carcinogen. People who work with cadavers have been at higher risk of cancer after formaldehyde exposure. We have formulated a less-formalin fixative (contained 3.6% formaldehyde,23.8% ethanol, 15% glycerin, and 0.2% phenol in the water) for preserving cadavers. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the level of atmospheric formaldehyde indoors and the breathing exposure of medical students during dissection classes. We also analyzed the pulmonary parameters and effects of formaldehyde. The levels of atmospheric formaldehyde indoors and personal breathing exposure were sampled during anatomy dissection classes (musculoskeletal system, respiratory system, and abdominopelvic organ system) using sorbent tubes with air sampling pumps. Samples were then analyzed using Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). The mean level of formaldehyde indoor air among the three classes was 0.518 ± 0.156 ppm whereas the formaldehyde level in the personal breathing zone was 0.956±0.408 ppm, which exceeded the recommended exposure standards of international agencies, including NIOSH agency and PEL of Thailand legislation. The laboratory had high humidity, high room temperature, and poor air ventilation. There was a significant difference in FVC, FEV1, and PEF (p < 0.05) between the sexes of students. Comparison pulmonary parameters between students and instructors showed that all parameters of the pulmonary function test had no significant differences. General fatigue and burnings of eyes and nose associated with strong odor were the most common symptoms reported during the dissection classes. The modified embalming fixative was used less formalin with ethanol-glycerin mixture, and it was suitable for the study of medical students, with few side effects of respiratory problems. However, the modified exhaust ventilation with local table-exhaust ventilation and heating-ventilation-air conditioning system performance were urgent issues for reducing levels of formaldehyde indoor air in the dissection room.
主要的尸体防腐固定剂含有被列为致癌物的甲醛。接触尸体的工作人员在接触甲醛后患癌症的风险更高。我们配制了一种低甲醛固定剂（在水中含有3.6%的甲醛、23.8%的乙醇、15%的甘油和0.2%的苯酚）用于保存尸体。因此，本研究的目的是评估解剖课期间室内空气中甲醛的水平以及医学生的呼吸暴露情况。我们还分析了甲醛对肺部参数和影响。在解剖课（肌肉骨骼系统、呼吸系统和腹部盆腔器官系统）期间，使用带有空气采样泵的吸附管对室内空气中甲醛水平和个人呼吸暴露情况进行采样。然后使用带有火焰离子化检测器的气相色谱法（GC-FID）对样品进行分析。三个班级室内空气中甲醛的平均水平为0.518±0.156 ppm，而个人呼吸区域的甲醛水平为0.956±0.408 ppm，超过了包括美国国家职业安全与健康研究所（NIOSH）机构和泰国法规的职业接触限值（PEL）在内的国际机构推荐的暴露标准。实验室湿度高、室温高且通风不良。学生性别之间的用力肺活量（FVC）、第一秒用力呼气容积（FEV1）和呼气峰值流速（PEF）存在显著差异（p＜0.05）。学生与教师之间的肺部参数比较表明，肺功能测试的所有参数均无显著差异。解剖课期间报告的最常见症状是与强烈气味相关的全身疲劳以及眼睛和鼻子的烧灼感。改良的尸体防腐固定剂使用的甲醛较少，并含有乙醇-甘油混合物，适用于医学生的研究，呼吸系统问题的副作用较少。然而，采用局部工作台排气通风和加热-通风-空调系统性能的改良排气通风是降低解剖室室内空气中甲醛水平的紧迫问题。
