Effect of Formaldehyde on Cardiorespiratory parameters in Medical students – An observational study

Abstract

Formaldehyde is extensively and commonly used in Department of Anatomy for preservation of biological specimens as well as cadavers. Formaldehyde being a noxious chemical, may cause respiratory health problems among 1st year medical students attending dissection periodically as a part of MBBS curriculum. The following study was planned to observe the effect of formaldehyde vapours on heart rate, blood pressure, percentage oxygen saturation (SpO2) and respiratory rate of 1st year medical students who are routinely exposed to formalin vapours periodically. Randomly selected fifty medical students [Mean (SD) age of 18.94 (0.65) years] were assessed within 1week of admission to college and re-examined at intervals of 1 month and 6 months. Data was entered in Microsoft Excel and was analysed using Epi Info software version 7. There was a decrease in heart rate, systolic blood pressure, SpO2 values and respiratory rate (on comparing values after 6 months with that of baseline values) but it was not statistically significant. But it may be statistically significate after 1 year of periodical exposure and it could also be due to lower quantity of formalin exposure owing to the proper ventilation of the dissection hall as per the MCI regulations. KEY WORDS: Formaldehyde, heat rate, blood pressure, SpO2, respiratory rate.