Harmful effects on workers The OSHA fact sheet identifies formaldehyde as a sensitizing agent that can cause an immune system response upon initial exposure and also as a cancer hazard. Acute exposure is highly irritating to the eyes, nose, and throat, and exposed individuals cough and wheeze. Subsequent exposure may cause severe allergic reactions of the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Ingestion of formaldehyde can be fatal, and long-term Routes of exposure OSHA clarifies that workers can inhale formaldehyde as a gas or vapor, or they can absorb it through the skin as a liquid. Groups at potentially high risk include mortuary workers as well How employers can protect workers Airborne concentrations of formaldehyde above 0.1 ppm can cause irritation of the respiratory tract. The severity of irritation intensifies as concentrations increase. In the event of an exposure, OSHA requires employers to do the following: ● Identify all workers who may be exposed to formaldehyde at or above the action level or STEL with initial monitoring and then determine their exposure. ● Reassign workers who suffer significant adverse effects from formaldehyde exposure to jobs with significantly less or no exposure until their condition improves. Reassignment may continue for up to six months until the worker is determined to be able to return to the original job or is deemed unable to return to work. ● Implement feasible engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain worker exposure to formaldehyde at or below the eight-hour TWA and the STEL. If these controls cannot reduce exposure to or below the PELs, employers must provide workers with respirators. ● Label all mixtures or solutions composed of greater than 0.1% formaldehyde and materials capable of releasing Recordkeeping requirements Employers are required to do the following regarding worker exposure records: ● Retain exposure records for 30 years. ● Retain medical records for 30 years after employment ends. NFDA Formaldehyde Best Management Practices, 2012 The Formaldehyde Best Management Practices is a working document. It may be updated or modified as important new information about formaldehyde becomes available. The following information is a summary of the best practice guidelines and subsections. It is important to review this document in its entirety on the NFDA website (NFDA, 2012a). Preparation room ventilation is the single most important factor in reducing health risks associated with formaldehyde exposure. Make sure that the ventilation system in your funeral home's preparation room is properly designed and operating effectively. An effective ventilation system ensures that as much formaldehyde as possible is drawn away from the embalmer's breathing zone. Consult an HVAC professional to assess and maintain the ventilation system as well as the heating and cooling needs of the work area. The NFDA provides the following guidelines: ● Ensure adequate and effective ventilation in the preparation room ● Select and use the proper embalming product while considering the environmental, health, and safety
exposure to low levels in the air or on the skin can cause asthma-like respiratory problems and skin irritation such as dermatitis and itching. Concentrations of 100 ppm are immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH). Note that the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) considers 20 ppm of formaldehyde to be IDLH.
as instructors and students who handle biological specimens preserved with formaldehyde.
formaldehyde into the air at concentrations reaching or exceeding 0.1 ppm. For all materials capable of releasing formaldehyde at levels above 0.5 ppm during normal use, the label must contain the words “potential cancer hazard.” ● Train all workers regarding exposure to formaldehyde concentrations of 0.1 ppm or greater at the time of initial job assignment and whenever a new exposure potential is introduced into the work area. Repeat training annually. ● Select, provide, and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Ensure that workers use PPE such as impervious clothing, gloves, aprons, and chemical splash goggles to prevent skin and eye contact with formaldehyde. ● Provide showers and eyewash stations if splashing is likely. ● Provide medical surveillance for all workers exposed to formaldehyde at concentrations at or above the action level or exceeding the STEL, for those who develop signs and symptoms of overexposure, and for all workers exposed to formaldehyde in emergencies. ● Allow access to medical and exposure records to current and former workers or their designated representatives upon request. For more information on this and other health-related issues affecting workers, visit OSHA’s website at http://www.osha.gov. characteristics of the product and the condition of the remains ● Take precautions in the preparation room to limit formaldehyde exposure and emissions during routine embalming ● Observe special precautions to limit formaldehyde exposure and emissions when embalming organ procurement cases and autopsied remains ● Be familiar with and follow federal, state, and local environmental, OSHA, and health requirements when embalming is performed Various environmental, OSHA, and health requirements apply when an embalming is performed. Often, product selection will govern the application of these requirements. Periodically review and reevaluate the products used in the preparation of the remains. Know the components of the products and the requirements that these components make applicable. Determine whether your locality has a mechanical code or other requirements that apply to ventilation systems.
Formaldehyde Vapor Reduction in the Funeral Home Preparation Room: NFDA Recommendations for Effective Preparation Room Ventilation, 2010 This study reached a number of conclusions of critical
ventilation system that is designed, operated, and maintained to meet the criteria in the study can be effective in removing formaldehyde vapors from the breathing zone of the embalmer
importance to funeral directors. Several of the key findings are summarized below (NFDA, 2010). The report concludes that a
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