Inhalation Health Risk Assessment of Formaldehyde Exposure among Staff and Students in the Gross Anatomy Laboratory

Staff members, and students are potentially exposed to formaldehyde vapors emitted by cadavers during gross anatomy sessions. This study aimed to assess the inhalation risk of formaldehyde exposure among individuals in gross anatomy laboratories, focusing on both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects. A total of 101 participants, comprising staff, pre-clinical students, and public health students, completed a structured questionnaire to provide demographic and exposure-related data. Simultaneously, five continuous indoor air samples were collected during 8-hour laboratory sessions following NIOSH Method 2541. The samples were analyzed at the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health. Risk assessments were conducted based on hazard quotient (HQ) and cancer risk values. Descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, minimum, maximum, mean, and standard deviation, were applied in the data analysis. The results indicated that the formaldehyde content ranged from 54 to 74 µg/m³, with a mean ± SD of 65±10 µg/m³. Staff members exhibited the highest HQ at 4.07, exceeding the safety threshold (HQ > 1), indicating significant non-carcinogenic risk. In contrast, pre-clinical students and public health students showed HQ values below 1, suggesting relatively lower but notable exposure. Cancer risk values for all participants ranged from 7.40×10⁻⁸ to 1.27×10⁻⁹, all below the accepted threshold of 1×10⁻6, implying an acceptable level of carcinogenic risk. The findings are significant as they highlight a measurable health risk for staff regularly working in gross anatomy laboratories. It is recommended that institutions establish policies for the implementation of efficient ventilation systems, enforce the use of personal protective equipment, and consider formaldehyde alternatives where possible. In addition, future studies should look into DNA adducts and their effects on cells, particularly those related to blood disorders and long-term cancer risks linked to formaldehyde exposure.