Low cost and effective reduction of formaldehyde in gross anatomy: long throw nozzles and formaldehyde destruction using InfuTrace\u2122

Hans Hieke,Petra Brohmann,Sonja Pfeil,Monika Wimmer

doi:10.1007/s11356-020-09961-0

Abstract

Formaldehyde is extraordinarily effective for fixation of human corpses and is routinely used in embalming solutions in anatomical dissection courses all over the world. High concentrations in vapors emitted from corpses embalmed with formaldehyde make it necessary to reduce the emission from cadavers for fulfilling tightening permissible exposure limits (PEL) worldwide. The study provides possible solutions to a problem faced by many anatomy labs. The emission of 50 human corpses was examined using 240 active personal and stationary samples with sampling tubes placed in the breathing area of probands or directly above the corpses. For measuring formaldehyde exposures along the dissection course, air samples were collected during the progress of dissection. Best results were achieved by a combination of post-embalming treatment with InfuTrace™, a formaldehyde binding solution applied to corpses fixed with 3% formaldehyde, and a modified ventilation system consisting of three long throw nozzles mounted vertically at the ceiling above the longitudinal axis of each dissection table. In this scenario, the inhalative exposure for students and teachers did not exceed 0.1 ppm during muscle dissection and 0.041 ppm during organ dissection, which are both dissection steps linked to high emission rates. The data emphasizes the necessity to use a combination of different methods — chemical polymerization of formaldehyde combined with a modified ventilation system — to reduce formaldehyde air loads far below the German PEL (0.3 ppm) and even the Japanese PEL (0.1 ppm) when using a standard 3%-formaldehyde fixation.

Highlights

The profound knowledge of human anatomy is an absolute prerequisite for any medical doctor
Both were predissected by removing skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue and were treated by surface spraying of 11% InfuTraceTM and intrathoracic and intraabdominal
Basic room levels of formaldehyde in the dissection hall ranged from 0.054 to 0.066 ppm, and in a side room connected to the main dissection lab without any air conditioning, the formaldehyde content was as low as 0.024–0.050 ppm

Summary

Introduction

The profound knowledge of human anatomy is an absolute prerequisite for any medical doctor. The dissection of a human corpse is indispensable, as it gives the medical students a realistic impression of the three-dimensional body structures and their varieties (Balta et al 2017; Brenner 2014; Soares et al 2018), not forgetting the enormous psychological benefits for the students of learning the management of emotional attitudes and reactions (Arráez-Aybar et al 2008). Anatomical departments teach anatomy in gross anatomy classes using preserved corpses of body donors. The preservation of corpses makes them lasting and prevents any risk of infection. The use of formaldehyde ensures optimal results in conservation and disinfection (Brenner 2014). Formaldehyde-based embalmment results in lowest to no microbiological activity over a period of 8 months, while shape and size of organs and vessels are retained (Balta et al 2018a, b)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion