Korean J Phys Anthropol.  2016 Sep;29(3):113-120. 10.11637/kjpa.2016.29.3.113.

Assessment of Formaldehyde Concentrations in an Anatomy Laboratory Equipped Dissecting Tables with Inbuilt Exhaust and an Air Diffuser/Return System

• Seo JH
• Hyun JA
• Oh MK
• Kim JY
• Kim YD
• Kim DW
• Stadlin A
• Sohn HJ
• Lee EY

• KMID: 2354351
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11637/kjpa.2016.29.3.113

Abstract

Formaldehyde (FA) used for preserving the body for anatomy dissection is harmful to the human body. In many countries, for the purpose of protecting the health of workers in the industrial field, the maximal allowable air concentration of FA has been set. The threshold limit values of time weighted average (TLV-TWA) and short-term exposure limit (TLV-STEL) of FA recommended by Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) of Korea are less than 0.5 and 1 ppm, respectively. In the United States and Europe, TLV-TWAs of FA are recommended at between 0.3 and 2 ppm. In this study, we compared the air concentration of FA to domestic and foreign standards of FA in an anatomy laboratory equipped dissecting tables with inbuilt exhaust and an air diffuser/return system. We installed ten elevated dissection tables, 18 air diffusers on the ceiling, and 10 air returns at the bottom of both side walls. The concentration of FA was measured at five sites in the anatomy laboratory and above the cadavers on the dissecting tables at a height of 1.5 m from the floor using a Formaldemeter. The average concentration of FA in the anatomy laboratory (five sites) was 0.31 ppm (0.45 mg/m³), range 0.21 to 0.41 ppm (0.26~0.51 mg/m³). The average concentration of FA above the cadavers was 0.45 ppm (0.56 mg/m³), range 0.31 to 0.64 ppm (0.39~0.80 mg/m³). The average TWA of FA in the anatomy laboratory was 0.19 ppm (0.24 mg/m³), range 0.13 to 0.26 ppm. The average TWA of FA above the cadavers was 0.28 ppm (0.35 mg/m³), range 0.19 to 0.40 ppm. The anatomy laboratory dissecting tables equipped with inbuilt exhaust and air diffuser/return system met the criteria of the FA concentration recommended by MOEL of Korea and most foreign countries. This study was the first evaluation of the air concentration of FA in an anatomy laboratory equipped dissecting tables with inbuilt exhaust and an air diffuser/return system in Korea. We expect it will be not only used as a standard of comparison for anatomy laboratories, but as a reference for design and construction to improve air quality in Korean Medical Colleges.

Keyword

Dissection; Cadaver; Ventilation; Air Quality; Safety; MOEL; Standards

MeSH Terms

Cadaver
Employment
Europe
Formaldehyde*
Human Body
Korea
Threshold Limit Values
United States
Ventilation
Formaldehyde

Figure

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  Fig. 1. The layout of the anatomy laboratory. Cn: center, C1–4: corners, T1–10: tables.

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  Fig. 2. Panorama image of the anatomy laboratory equipped dissecting tables with inbuilt exhaust and an air diffuser/return system.

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  Fig. 3. Measuring instrument for formaldehyde concentration.

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  Fig. 4. TWAs of formaldehyde in anatomy laboratory and above cadavers.

Reference

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