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  • Title: Excruciating effect of formaldehyde exposure to students in gross anatomy dissection laboratory.
    Author: Onyije FM, Avwioro OG.
    Journal: Int J Occup Environ Med; 2012 Apr; 3(2):92-5. PubMed ID: 23022856.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Formaldehyde is extensively used for preservation of cadavers in departments of anatomy. However, it is a noxious chemical which may cause serious health problems. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of exposure of medical students to formaldehyde at the Department of Anatomy, Niger Delta University, Nigeria. METHODS: In a questionnaire-based study, 93 second-year medical students were surveyed at the Department of Human Anatomy, Niger Delta University, Nigeria. The average duration of exposure for each student in the dissection hall was 6 hr/wk. Participants with history of cough, respiratory or skin diseases were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Out of 93 questionnaires distributed, 75 were completed and returned (response rate: 81%). Of 75 students, 58 (77%) were strongly affected by unpleasant smell of formaldehyde. It was followed by "runny or congested nose" and "redness of the eyes." "Skin-related diseases" was identified as the least ranked effect of formaldehyde. CONCLUSION: Due to the numerous health challenges that formaldehyde causes to students in the gross anatomy dissection laboratories, it cannot be considered as a suitable chemical for embalmment of cadaver for dissection.
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