Eff ect of Formalin among the medical and dental students attending regular laboratory session in dissecting hall, in Department of Human Anatomy, in B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences

Abstract

Background and Objective: Formaldehyde is a chemical substance used in the fixation of histological specimens and cadavers. This study was to see the adverse effect of formalin during regular Labex session in dissecting hall with formalin-fixed specimens/cadavers. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted among 129 medical and dental undergraduates in B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences who had cadaver dissection and practical sessions with 10% formalin-fixed specimen as a compulsory course during their 2 years basic science course. After participants were informed, consent was obtained from each participant; a self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was given to each participant. The experiences were categorized including general feelings, effects on eyes, nostrils, throat and skin. The estimates of duration for relieve of symptoms of effects of formalin were noted. Changes in symptoms were scored as 1 = increased, 2 = no change. The data was collected and entered in SPSS 17.0 (IBM SPSS 17.0 Inc.) and Pearson's Chi-square test was applied to see the level of significance, 95% CI, where P = 0.05. Ethical Clearance was taken as per the guideline of Institutional Ethical Review Board (IERB no. 036/014) of BPKIHS, Dharan, Nepal. Results: Results showed that the contact with formalin caused loss of smell sense and increase of runny nose, eye irritation and sore throat. These changes had direct relation with contact duration. Relation between contact with formalin and the nasal symptoms, eye irritation and sore throat was significant (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Formalin decreases smell sense and increases runny nose and sore throat. People should not have any direct contact with formalin.