EFFECTS OF CHRONIC EXPOSURE OF FORMALIN ON PULMONARY
FUNCTION TEST, A COMPARATIVE STUDY AMONG TECHNICIANS
WORKING IN DISSECTION HALL AND OTHER LABORATORY.
DR. PUNEET AGGARWAL*, DR RAJULA TYAGI**, DR JANARDAN V BHATT
***
DEPT. OF PHYSIOLOGY, Jn Lecturer N.H.L. MEDICAL COLLEGE,
AHMEDABAD, **Asso. Prof,*** Prof & Head ,AMCMET Medical college
Ahmedabad 380008
Correspondence author: drpuneetagg@rediffmail.com
ABSTRACT:
It was observed that the technicians working in dissection hall have complains
of breathlessness. The occupational hazard of chronic exposure of formalin in
hall was postulated. This led to the present study in which pulmonary function
test were carried out in technicians working in anatomy and biochemistry
laboratory. The pulmonary function test included were vital capacity and peak
flow expiratory rate, carried out by Student Spiro meter and Wrights flow meter.
The study revealed significant (p<.0001) decrease in vital capacity and peak
expiratory flow rate of technicians working in gross anatomy laboratory, than
technicians working in biochemistry laboratory.
INTRODUCTION:
Formaldehyde or formalin is the simplest aldehyde used in aqueous form to
preserve the cadavers in gross anatomy laboratory. The property of the reagent
in delaying the decomposition of cadavers is highly used in preservation and
embalming of bodies. Formalin is absorbed in body through skin and inhalation.
On inhalation, it can be toxic, allergic and carcinogenic. On certain occasion, it
can induce asthma as well. Because of occupational hazard, technicians working
in gross anatomy laboratory are chronically exposed to ill effects of formalin
exposure. We have evaluated pulmonary function test in technicians of anatomy
laboratory as case while technicians of biochemistry were taken as control, to
assess the effect of formalin on pulmonary function test.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVE:
To study the effect of formalin toxicity on pulmonary function test.
INCLUSION CRITERIA: Technicians working in different medical and dental
college were taken for study. Subjects with pre diagnosed medical and
pulmonary history were excluded. Subjects were selected having an exposure of
formalin for at least last six months working min 4 days a week in laboratory.
MATERIAL AND METHOD: The present study was carried out among 12
healthy technicians from anatomy laboratory and 15 from biochemistry
department aged 30-45 years.
Student Spiro Meter was used to measure vital capacity and Wright’s peak flow
meter was used to measure PEFR. Verbal consent was taken. For statistical
analysis, SSPS software was used.
STATISTICAL TESTS:
For statistical analysis, SSPS software was used to measure P value: Test was
considered significant if P value is less than 0.5
RESULTS: The mean age of subjects was 40 ± 4.5 years. As shown in the
Table, the VC and PEFR shows highly significant decrease in subjects working in
anatomy laboratory compared to those working in biochemistry laboratory.
Table : Pulmonary Function Test
Vital capacity (ml)
PEFR (ml/sec)
Breath holding (in
sec)
GROUP A
Mean ± SD
2455 ± 342.02
270 ± 14.33
36 ± 2
GROUP B
Mean ± SD
2988± 378.62
320 ± 18.42
32 ± 1.3
P value,.0001
Significant
significant
Not significant
Group A : technicians of anatomy
Group B: Technicians of biochemistry
DISCUSSION: Formalin is an irritant gas. The fumes inhaled causes allergic
reactions inside lungs. Chronic exposure to formaldehyde
has been associated with immunological hypersensitivity as measured by
elevated circulating IgG and IgE auto-antibodies to human serum albumin.
In addition, a decrease in the proportion of T-cells was observed, indicating
altered immunity. The most common symptoms include irritation of the eyes,
nose, and throat, along with increased tearing
The present study shows that the various lung functions are significantly reduced
in who are chronically exposed to the fumes of formalin. These can be attributed
to the adverse effect of formalin on respiratory system. Various studies done
earlier revealed that FVC decreased in subjects immediately after their first
exposure.
CONCLUSION:
The present study was conducted to evaluate the symptoms caused by
formaldehyde fumes that were experienced by the technicians working in the
dissection rooms. The probable measures which can be taken will be the lesser
concentration of formaldehyde as it will reduce the toxic effects and the other
chemicals like surgical spirit, glycerine and carbolic acid will help in maintaining a
good preservation of cadavers. As is quoted by BS Mitchell, “reduction in
formaldehyde concentration is not deleterious to specimen preservation, but
leads to a safer working environment.
LIMITATIONS
• The study can be extended with more subjects and more pulmonary
function test can be evaluated like FEV1, FVC/FEF etc using a
computerized spirometer. More analysis can be done if the disease is
restrictive or obstructive pattern. The study was convenience based.
Study can be further extended for the functions like lung flow volume
curves and expiratory flow rates.
• The study can be useful for establishing whether formalin results in
restrictive or obstructive pulmonary disease.
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