A Study on Worker-Exposure to Formaldehyde in Some Histological Laboratories of Hospitals

일부 종합병원 조직검사실에서의 포름알데히드 노출에 관한 연구

This Study was conducted at nine Histological Laboratories in the hospitals located in Seoul from August 20 to October 10, 1996. The main purpose of this study was to assess the TWA & STEL exposure to formaldehyde and to evaluate factors affecting formaldehyde concentration in Histological Laboratory. With evaluated factors, proper improvement strategy to minimize exposure was suggested. The results are summarized as follows ; 1. The TWA concentrations of the personal samples ranged from 0.02 to 3.86 ppm and that of one laboratory out of nine was exceeding 0.75 ppm, USA OSHA standard. The TWA concentrations of the area samples ranged from 0.08 ppm to 1.49 ppm and those of three laboratories out of nine were exceeding OSHA standard. 2. When measurement was conducted on the working tables. around Formaldehyde vessel, fixation container and storage cabinet, the geometric means of TWA concentrations were 0.62 ppm, 0.64 ppm. 0.58 ppm and 0.37 ppm respectively. 3. When overnight fixed specimens were examined, the STEL concentrations of personal samples ranged from 0.59 ppm to 5.01 ppm, those of three laboratories out of nine were exceeding 2 ppm, OSHA standard and the STEL concentrations of area samples ranged from 0.31 ppm to 3.08 ppm, those of four laboratories from nine were exceeding OSHA standard. 4. Factors affecting Formaldehyde exposure level were sanitation state of laboratory, volume of the room and opening state of fixation container & formaldehyde vessel(p<0.05).