Operating control and control of working environment for formaldehyde in university

Abstract

 The measures of Japanese universities were surveyed in 2008 and 2009 concerning the control of working environment for the use of formaldehyde. This survey revealed that the following measures are required to prevent health hazards of workers by formaldehyde in workrooms of pathology, pathological anatomy and postmortem examination in the universities. From a point of the operating control, 1) acceleration of the use of substitutes of formaldehyde, 2) prevention of exhalation of formaldehyde by the use of closed vessels, 3) isolation of exhalation sources of formaldehyde, 4) use of protection tools. From a point of the control of working environment, 5) set up of whole and part exhaust equipments or push-pull type equipments. We hope that occupational safety and health management system is further established, and education on safety management and prevention of health hazards should be put into practice in universities.