I was curious about formaldehyde after reading somewhere online where this man went and drank a beer which was apparently contaminated by by formaldehyde. (He heard a story by some local that the water used was near a cemetery and thus the contaminated water)
I have heard and read that it may be a possible carcinogen. I also read that it specifically has been recorded to go and cause respiratory cancers and also leukemia.
I had a few questions about this..
1. In enbalming do they actually immurse the whole body in the formaldehyde? I was thinking no but there isn't any way to preserve it I guess.
2. I have in bio done quite a few dissection labs where I dissected starfish, a rat, a frog, a clam, a grasshopper, and a fish. (the fish was all mushy by the way and smelled of both fish and formaldehyde)
Since it is known to cause cancer in the respiratory tract, would exposure like in lab by smelling the formaldehyde actually cause any harm?
And I remember reading on the bag that contained the rat that the bag said to read a safety manual on handling the ...rat...(I convieniently wasn't given this) In addition I remember touching my disection manual with my dirty glove...would this be dangerous to touch later? Or would the evaporation of it leave it okay to touch the manual later?
3. If it is known to cause cancer why is it still used?...then again cigarettes are known to cause cancer and people still smoke them but...I'm still going to ask..
Thanks =)
Thank you for your most interesting post! I remember being excused from dissection in Biology class because the odor from the formaldehyde made me so nauseated! Here are some sites about this solution:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formaldehyde
2. www.epa.gov/iaq/formalde.html - 21k
3. http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/formaldehyde/
I still don't know if they immurse a whole person's body in what I now know to be correctly called formalin (a solution of formaldehyde, water, and methanol) from what I read.
Second of all, Is smelling formalin odor wafting around a room such as during a dissection considered respiratory exposure or would you have to inhale the gas to be considered respiratory affected? It isn't specified in those sites as to whether just smelling it or really being exposed to the gas itself would cause adverse effects to one's health.
To answer your first question, in embalming, the whole body is not typically immersed in formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is used as a preservative in embalming fluids, but it is usually injected into the body's circulatory system. This process helps preserve the tissues and prevent decay.
Regarding your second question, exposure to formaldehyde vapors during dissection can be considered as respiratory exposure. Formaldehyde can be inhaled in the form of gas or vapor, which can lead to irritation of the respiratory system. Prolonged and repeated exposure to high levels of formaldehyde vapor has been associated with respiratory issues and an increased risk of certain types of cancer, such as respiratory cancers and leukemia.
In a controlled laboratory setting, precautions are usually taken to minimize formaldehyde exposure. This may include using fume hoods and ventilation systems to remove formaldehyde vapors from the air. However, it is still important to take necessary precautions, such as wearing gloves and avoiding direct contact with formaldehyde solutions.
As for touching the dissection manual with dirty gloves, it is generally recommended to exercise caution and practice good hygiene. While the evaporation of formaldehyde may reduce the risk of direct exposure, it is still advisable to avoid touching potentially contaminated surfaces and to wash your hands thoroughly after handling formaldehyde.
Lastly, why is formaldehyde still used despite its known risks? Formaldehyde has various industrial uses, including as a disinfectant, preservative, and in the production of certain products. It is a highly effective chemical with a wide range of applications. However, its potential health effects have led to regulations and guidelines for its safe use and handling. Various safety measures are in place to minimize exposure and ensure the protection of workers and the general public.
It is worth noting that the use of formaldehyde is regulated in many industries to ensure safe practices and protect individuals from excessive exposure. Continued research and monitoring are being carried out to better understand its health effects and develop safer alternatives.