Formaldehyde in the hospital environment

Formaldehyde is found in the hospital environment at higher concentrations than those to which the general population is exposed.

It`s possible adverse health effects are therefore very important to those working in certain parts of hospitals and to patients whose health status may be compromised. The compound is an irritant and can cause sensitisation

Formaldehyde is a colourless gas with a characteristic pungent odour. It`s widely used in many industries and causes severe health issues if used inappropriately.

Formaldehyde is used in the hospital environment as a preservative of biological materials, also as a fixative for tissues and used also used for embalming. Thus concentrations of formaldehyde are often high in parts of hospitals – particularly in mortuaries and histopathology facilities.

Health effects

It is highly toxic to humans, regardless of method of intake. Even very short-term exposure to formaldehyde irritates the eyes causing pain, redness, blurred vision and severe eye watering. It can irritate the nose and throat causing sneezing, soreness, coughing, shortness of breath, headaches and nausea.

Exposure to elevated levels can lead to accumulation of fluid in the lung (pulmonary oedema). A large exposure to formaldehyde is converted to formic acid in the body, leading to a rise in blood acidity, rapid-shallow breathing, hypothermia, and coma or death.

Long-term exposure causes chronically impaired lung function, skin hardening, swelling and flaking, dermatitis, allergic eczema, and cancer.

Safety and detection

 In order to ensure employees are not exposed to dangerous concentrations of Formaldehyde in the air, it is advised to detect and monitor levels with a suitable detection instrument. Real time results mean that potential over exposures can be identified as they occur, without the delay associated with laboratory analysis. If a dangerous level is detected employees can be evacuated until the risk is subdued.

`Overexposure to airborne formaldehyde is dangerous to health, but the risks can be substantially reduced if levels are regularly measured and monitored,` said PPM Technology’s MD John B Jones.

The Formaldemeter htV-m is able to accurately detect and monitor formaldehyde, temperature and humidity in real-time.  It can be used as a manual hand-held instrument or as a continuous monitoring device capable of up to one month of data-logging. The htV-M can precisely measure formaldehyde concentrations in parts per million (ppm) and mg/m3 over a wide range of temperature and humidity. The built in memory and real time clock enables the htV-m to log all 3 parameters and corresponding times, allowing improved monitoring and analysis opportunities.

The Formaldemeter htV is a manual hand-held instrument, which can take instantaneous single-point measurements of Formaldehyde, Temperature and Humidity. 

For more information please visit - www.ppm-technology.com