Comparison of personal formaldehyde levels in the anatomy laboratories of five physical therapy education programs

Abstract

Formaldehyde (FA) has been classified by The International Agency for Research on Cancer as a human carcinogen (Levine et al, 1984; IEQ, 2006; Kriebel, 2001) and as a probable carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency (1999). The purpose of this research was to compare personal FA exposure and sensory irritation levels between subjects in the human anatomy laboratories at five Physical Therapy (PT) programs in the United States. There was no significant correlation between FA levels and irritation levels. There was not a significant difference in FA exposure between students and instructors but there was a significant difference (p=0.015) in irritation levels reported by students and instructors, with instructors reporting lower irritation levels. There was a significant difference (p=0.001) in irritation levels between institutions but no significant difference in FA exposure levels between institutions. At one institution the FA levels in donors that were reperfused with Infutrace were significantly lower (p=0.002) than those of donors that were non‐reperfused. Future studies that compare teaching strategies, dissection techniques, and ventilation systems should be conducted to help determine the healthiest combination of methods (chemicals, ventilation systems, teaching strategies, personal protective equipment) to reduce FA and irritation levels among students and instructors.