Occupational exposure to formaldehyde, lifetime cancer probability, and hazard quotient in pathology lab employees in Iran: a quantitative risk assessment

Formaldehyde is a colorless and highly irritating substance that is used as a preservative and chemical fixative in tissue processing in pathological laboratories. Formaldehyde is mutagenic and is classified by the IARC as the definitive carcinogen (A1 group). This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was performed to determine the respiratory exposure of 60 employees of pathology labs with formaldehyde and to estimate carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk in Iran in 2018-2019. Occupational exposure to formaldehyde was assessed in summer season using the NIOSH 3500 method and a personal sampler with flow of 1 l/min connected to two Glass Midget Impingers containing 20 ml of 1% sodium bisulfate solution. The respiratory symptoms questionnaire provided by the American Thoracic Society was used to assess the health effects of formaldehyde exposure. The carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk assessment of inhaled exposure to formaldehyde was also performed using the USA Environmental Protection Agency (OEHHA) method. The mean respiratory exposure of employees to formaldehyde was 0.64 mg/m(3)(range: 0.1474 to 1.3757). Occupational exposure in 28.3% (n = 17) of employees was above the OSHA recommended range. Wheezing (24%), burning eyes (25%), and cough (21.7%) were the most prevalent health problems. The mean +/- SD of the carcinogenic risk among the employees was 3.45 x 10(-4) +/- 2.27 x 10(-4). The highest mean of carcinogenic risk was found in lab workers (4.44 x 10(-4)). Given the high level of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk of respiratory exposure to formaldehyde in pathological employees, especially lab worker, the use of management controls, engineering controls, and respiratory protection equipment to reduce exposure levels of all workers to less than the allowed exposure limits seems necessary.

Automated summary

This study assessed the respiratory exposure of 60 employees in pathology labs to formaldehyde and estimated the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks. The results showed significant health effects and high levels of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks, especially for lab workers, highlighting the need for control measures and protective equipment to reduce exposure.