Toxic Effects of Formaldehyde Exposure Among Undergraduate Students – A Questionnaire Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Formaldehyde, a widely used chemical in cadaver preservation for anatomy education, poses significant health risks to students and staff due to its toxic and irritant properties upon exposure during dissection sessions. The main aim is to assess the acute symptoms associated with formaldehyde exposure among undergraduate students and to evaluate the severity of these symptoms based on standardized toxicity grading.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among first-year MBBS and BDS students at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belagavi. Data were collected using a structured Google Form questionnaire assessing symptom severity on a 4-point grading scale.

Results: The study involved 300 undergraduate students with a mean age of 19.4 years, the majority being female [60.0%]. Around 14.7% of participants reported having pre-existing respiratory conditions. Among the symptoms reported following formaldehyde exposure during cadaver dissection, the most common was the perception of an unpleasant smell, which 46.0% rated as moderate and 7.0% as severe. Eye-related symptoms were also prevalent, with burning sensation [37.7% moderate, 14.3% severe], excessive lacrimation, redness, and itching frequently noted. Respiratory symptoms such as nasal irritation and difficulty in breathing were observed in up to 25.3% and 12.3% respectively, while dryness of the mouth and throat affected more than 10% of participants. Neurological complaints including headache, nausea, and dizziness were reported by a notable proportion, whereas skin symptoms such as itching of hands and rashes were generally mild or absent. Only a small number of students experienced systemic symptoms like respiratory [4.3%], gastrointestinal disturbances [4.7%], or fainting episodes [5.0%].

Conclusion: A significant proportion of students experienced acute symptoms due to formaldehyde exposure during cadaver dissection. These findings underscore the need for improved safety measures and consideration of less toxic alternatives in anatomy laboratories.