ASSOCIATION BETWEEN FORMALDEHYDE VAPOR EXPOSURE AND EYE IRRITATION AND UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT IRRITATION DURING ANATOMY LABORATORY SESSIONS

Novelyn, Silphia and Sidauruk, Morado Natanael and Christine, Reinne Natali (2026) ASSOCIATION BETWEEN FORMALDEHYDE VAPOR EXPOSURE AND EYE IRRITATION AND UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT IRRITATION DURING ANATOMY LABORATORY SESSIONS. Journal of Innovation Research and Knowledge, 5 (8). pp. 9149-9160. ISSN 2798-3641

	Text ASSOCIATIONBETWEENFORMALDEHYDEVAPOREXPOSUREANDEYEIRRITATIONANDUPPERRESPIRATORYTRACTIRRITATIONDURINGANATOMYLABORATORYSESSIONS.pdf Download (382kB)
	Text (Hasil_Turnitin) HasilTurnitinASSOCIATIONBETWEENFORMALDEHYDEVAPOREXPOSUREANDEYEIRRITATIONANDUPPERRESPIRATORYTRACTIRRITATIONDURINGANATOMYLABORATORYSESSIONS.pdf Download (498kB)

Abstract

Formaldehyde is routinely used to preservecadavers for anatomy practicums; however,volatilization releases airborne formaldehyde that canacutely irritate the eyes and upper respiratory tract.According to the WHO, irritation may be triggered at0.08–2.52 ppm during 30 minutes of exposure. Thiscomparative cross-sectional study involved 130 medicalstudents (Faculty of Medicine, Universitas KristenIndonesia/UKI; 2020 cohort) and examined theassociation between measured formaldehydeconcentrations and acute irritative symptoms duringanatomy practicum. Air measurements in the practicumroom were 0.595 ppm (intact cadaver specimens) and0.395 ppm (organ specimens), both reported to exceedthe WHO limit and Indonesia’s Ministry of Manpower(PERMENAKER) threshold. The most common eyesymptoms were eye stinging/pain (n=119; 91.5%),watery eyes (n=102; 78.5%), red eyes (n=42; 32.2%),and itchy eyes (n=37; 28.5%), with additionalcomplaints including a history of eye irritation (n=22;29.2%), eye discomfort (n=19; 14.6%), and eye swelling(n=11; 8.5%). Upper respiratory symptoms includednasal stinging (n=75; 57.7%), runny nose (n=57; 43.8%),shortness of breath (n=32; 24.6%), sneezing (n=25;19.2%), cough (n=24; 18.5%), difficulty swallowing(n=17; 13.1%), nausea/vomiting (n=16; 12.3%),hoarseness (n=14; 10.8%), and itchy throat (n=10;7.7%).

Actions (login required)

View Item