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Levels of formaldehyde vapor released from embalmed cadavers in each dissection stage.

ABSTRACT: Formaldehyde (FA) is an aldehyde used in antiseptics and adhesives. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other institutes have linked FA to sick building syndrome and allergic diseases. Recent studies have reported that cadavers embalmed using formalin and ethanol-based preservative solutions release FA vapor during dissection and that FA vapor may adversely affect students and lecturers in gross anatomy laboratories. However, few details have been reported correlating dissection stage with increased FA vapor release. In this study, we evaluated the vapor level of FA released in each dissection stage. Six cadavers for which consent was given for use in anatomy research and education were examined in this study. Using an active sampling method, FA vapor was collected above the thoracoabdominal region of each dissected cadaver. FA was eluted from each sampler using acetonitrile and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Our data show that FA levels significantly increase after skin incision and that the vapor level of FA released differs between male and female cadavers. We also found that subcutaneous adipose tissues of the thoracoabdominal-region release FA vapor and that female cadavers release significantly higher levels of FA per kilogram of subcutaneous adipose tissue than do male cadavers. Based on these data, we propose the methods be developed to prevent exposure to FA vapors released from cadavers.

SUBMITTER: Sugata Y

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4975760 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Levels of formaldehyde vapor released from embalmed cadavers in each dissection stage.

Sugata Yota Y Miyaso Hidenobu H Odaka Yoko Y Komiyama Masatoshi M Sakamoto Noboru N Mori Chisato C Matsuno Yoshiharu Y

Environmental science and pollution research international 20160506 16

Formaldehyde (FA) is an aldehyde used in antiseptics and adhesives. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other institutes have linked FA to sick building syndrome and allergic diseases. Recent studies have reported that cadavers embalmed using formalin and ethanol-based preservative solutions release FA vapor during dissection and that FA vapor may adversely affect students and lecturers in gross anatomy laboratories. However, few details have been reported correlating dissection stage with i ...[more]

PMID: 27151243

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Project description:IntroductionThis study investigated formaldehyde decontamination efficacy against dried Bacillus spores on porous and non-porous test surfaces, under various environmental conditions. This knowledge will help responders determine effective formaldehyde exposure parameters to decontaminate affected spaces following a biological agent release.MethodsPrescribed masses of paraformaldehyde or formalin were sublimated or evaporated, respectively, to generate formaldehyde vapor within a bench-scale test chamber. Adsorbent cartridges were used to measure formaldehyde vapor concentrations in the chamber at pre-determined times. A validated method was used to extract the cartridges and analyze for formaldehyde via liquid chromatography. Spores of Bacillus globigii, Bacillus thuringiensis, and Bacillus anthracis were inoculated and dried onto porous bare pine wood and non-porous painted concrete material coupons. A series of tests was conducted where temperature, relative humidity, and formaldehyde concentration were varied, to determine treatment efficacy outside of conditions where this decontaminant is well-characterized (laboratory temperature and humidity and 12 mg/L theoretical formaldehyde vapor concentration) to predict decontamination efficacy in applications that may arise following a biological incident.ResultsLow temperature trials (approximately 10°C) resulted in decreased formaldehyde air concentrations throughout the 48-hour time-course when compared with formaldehyde concentrations collected in the ambient temperature trials (approximately 22°C). Generally, decontamination efficacy on wood was lower for all three spore types compared with painted concrete. Also, higher recoveries resulted from painted concrete compared to wood, consistent with historical data on these materials. The highest decontamination efficacies were observed on the spores subjected to the longest exposures (48 hours) on both materials, with efficacies that gradually decreased with shorter exposures. Adsorption or absorption of the formaldehyde vapor may have been a factor, especially during the low temperature trials, resulting in less available formaldehyde in the air when measured.ConclusionEnvironmental conditions affect formaldehyde concentrations in the air and thereby affect decontamination efficacy. Efficacy is also impacted by the material with which the contaminants are in contact.

Dataset Information

Levels of formaldehyde vapor released from embalmed cadavers in each dissection stage.

Publications

Levels of formaldehyde vapor released from embalmed cadavers in each dissection stage.

Similar Datasets

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