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Changes in Work Practices for Safe Use of Formaldehyde in a University-Based Anatomy Teaching and Research Facility

Author

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  • Paul T. J. Scheepers

    (Research Lab Molecular Epidemiology, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands)

  • Martien H. F. Graumans

    (Research Lab Molecular Epidemiology, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands)

  • Gwendolyn Beckmann

    (Research Lab Molecular Epidemiology, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
    Yacht, High Tech Campus 32, 5656 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands)

  • Maurice Van Dael

    (Research Lab Molecular Epidemiology, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands)

  • Rob B. M. Anzion

    (Research Lab Molecular Epidemiology, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands)

  • Maarten Melissen

    (Research Lab Molecular Epidemiology, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
    Digireg, Kranestraat 37, 5961 GX Horst, The Netherlands)

  • Nicole Pinckaers

    (Research Lab Molecular Epidemiology, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
    WUR-RIKILT, Akkermaalsbos 2, 6708 WB Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • Luuk Van Wel

    (Research Lab Molecular Epidemiology, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
    Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands)

  • Laurie M. A. De Werdt

    (Research Lab Molecular Epidemiology, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
    Arbo Unie, Europalaan 40, 3526 KS Utrecht, The Netherlands)

  • Vera Gelsing

    (Department of Anatomy, Radboudumc, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands)

  • Albert Van Linge

    (Department of Anatomy, Radboudumc, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Anatomy teaching and research relies on the use of formaldehyde (FA) as a preservation agent for human and animal tissues. Due to the recent classification of FA as a carcinogen, university hospitals are facing a challenge to (further) reduce exposure to FA. The aim of this study was to reduce exposure to FA in the anatomy teaching and research facility. Workers participated in the development of improved work practices, both technical and organizational solutions. Over a period of 6 years mitigating measures were introduced, including improvement of a down-flow ventilation system, introduction of local exhaust ventilation, collection of drain liquid from displayed specimens in closed containers and leak prevention. Furthermore, some organizational changes were made to reduce the number of FA peak exposures. Stationary and personal air sampling was performed in three different campaigns to assess the effect of these new work practices on inhalation exposure to FA. Samples were collected over 8 h (full shift) and 15 min (task-based) to support mitigation of exposure and improvement of work practices. Air was collected on an adsorbent coated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) and analyzed by HPLC-UV. Geometric mean (GM) concentrations of FA in the breathing zone over a work-shift were 123 µg/m 3 in 2012 and 114 µg/m 3 in 2014, exceeding the workplace standard of 150 µg/m 3 (8 h time-weighted average, TWA) on 46% of the workdays in 2012 and 38% of the workdays in 2014. This exposure was reduced to an average of 28.8 µg/m 3 in 2017 with an estimated probability of exceeding the OEL of 0.6%. Task-based measurements resulted in a mean peak exposures of 291 µg/m 3 in 2012 ( n = 19) and a mean of 272 µg/m 3 in 2014 ( n = 21), occasionally exceeding the standard of 500 µg/m 3 (15 min TWA), and were reduced to a mean of 88.7 µg/m 3 in 2017 ( n = 12) with an estimated probability of exceeding the OEL of 1.6%.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul T. J. Scheepers & Martien H. F. Graumans & Gwendolyn Beckmann & Maurice Van Dael & Rob B. M. Anzion & Maarten Melissen & Nicole Pinckaers & Luuk Van Wel & Laurie M. A. De Werdt & Vera Gelsing & A, 2018. "Changes in Work Practices for Safe Use of Formaldehyde in a University-Based Anatomy Teaching and Research Facility," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-22, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:9:p:2049-:d:170768
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Paul T. J. Scheepers & Luuk Van Wel & Gwendolyn Beckmann & Rob B. M. Anzion, 2017. "Chemical Characterization of the Indoor Air Quality of a University Hospital: Penetration of Outdoor Air Pollutants," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-18, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Stefano Dugheri & Nicola Mucci & Giovanni Cappelli & Alessandro Bonari & Giacomo Garzaro & Giorgio Marrubini & Gianluca Bartolucci & Marcello Campagna & Giulio Arcangeli, 2019. "Monitoring of Air-Dispersed Formaldehyde and Carbonyl Compounds as Vapors and Adsorbed on Particulate Matter by Denuder-Filter Sampling and Gas Chromatographic Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-17, June.
    2. Dragan Adamović & Zoran Čepić & Savka Adamović & Milena Stošić & Boris Obrovski & Slobodan Morača & Mirjana Vojinović Miloradov, 2021. "Occupational Exposure to Formaldehyde and Cancer Risk Assessment in an Anatomy Laboratory," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-18, October.

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