US EPA

3421280 

Journal Article 

Abstract 

Genotoxic damage and occupational exposure to formaldehyde in anatomic pathology laboratory workers 

Rivera, C; Rosales, J 

2015 

1 

Toxicology Letters
ISSN: 0378-4274
EISSN: 1879-3169 

238 

2 

S103-S103 

English 

10.1016/j.toxlet.2015.08.339 

WOS:000370693801176 

Introduction: Formaldehyde is a genotoxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic chemical routinely used in anatomic pathology laboratories. Levels reported in workplace air often exceed permissible exposure limits and preventive measures are insufficient; which raises a problem in occupational health. Aims: To evaluate genotoxic damage and occupational exposure to formaldehyde in workers of anatomic pathology laboratories. Methods: The study was carried out in 42 health workers exposed to formaldehyde from three anatomic pathology laboratories and 38 unexposed workers. Exposure level to formaldehyde in the workplace air was evaluated by applying spectrophotometric method with chromotropic acid. Evaluation of genetic damage was performed by applying genotoxicity biomarkers such as micronucleus and nuclear abnormalities frequency in epithelial cells from the buccal mucosa and comet assay in capillary blood lymphocytes. Results: The mean concentration of formaldehyde in air was 0.96 mg/m3 (min = 0.311 mg/m3, max = 1.466 mg/m3), exceeding the threshold limit value (TLV-ceiling = 0.37 mg/m3). Workers exposed to formaldehyde had micronucleus, nuclear buds and binucleated cells frequencies significantly increased in relation to the unexposed group (p 0.05). Conclusions: Workers in anatomic pathology laboratories showed exposure to high concentrations of formaldehyde in the workplace and had increased genotoxic damage in the buccal mucosa. These results, coupled with carcinogenic activity and insufficient measures to prevent exposure, point out a high occupational risk situation, which must be addressed by government agency responsible for occupational health and safety by implementing a comprehensive risk management program. 

51st Congress of the European-Societies-of-Toxicology (EUROTOX) 

Porto, Portugal 

September 13-16, 2015