I will be speaking on the subject at the American Anatomist Association (AAA) Conference in San Diego in April 2012 (http://aaatoday.org/content/refresher-course%E2%80%94-facts-about-formaldehyde-what-every-anatomist-should-know).    I would be happy to send anyone my presentation after the conference.  I don’t recommend down-draft tables.  The air inlets are blocked by the donor and the bag or plastic that covers them.     Below is a summary of my recommendations:

•       Reduce ceiling height, if possible -  9 ft (2.7 m)

•       Flanged, side slot table design with appropriately-sized plenum

•       100% exhaust with 5 – 10 % less make-up air to keep room negative in pressure

•       700 – 1600 cfm (0.33 – 0.76 m³/s) - “On” mode

•       300 - 600 cfm (0.14 – 0.28 m³/s), maybe less - “Off” mode, specimen sealed in disaster bag when not in use

•       Make-up air through large laminar flow diffuser directly above table - >25 ft² (>2.32 m²)

•       1000 – 2000 fpm duct velocity (8” – 16” round exhaust duct) with < 2’ flex duct and aerodynamic design features throughout, if possible

•       Consider ergonomics and economics

Feel free to call me if you would like to discuss the issue.  AAA also has a gross anatomy lab design page on their website, which is useful:  http://aaatoday.org/content/gross-anatomy-laboratory-design

Best Regards,

Frank R. Demer, MS, CIH, CSP

Health Safety Officer

Industrial Hygiene and Safety

University of Arizona

Department of Risk Management Services

Phone:  520.621.3585

Fax:  520.621.3706

Email:  demer**At_Symbol_Here**email.arizona.edu

Mailing Address:  P.O. Box 210300, Tucson, AZ  85721-0300

Street Address:  220 W. 6th St., Tucson, AZ 85701 (2nd floor, East Bldg.)

Web Address:  risk.arizona.edu

I am seeking information regarding ventilation methods for a cadaver laboratory.  In particular, we want to know the best way to achieve low formaldehyde levels, closer to the NIOSH recommended level of 0.016 ppm-TWA.  Also, any specific precedence or references you can share to help me inform/educate the decision makers why it is (or is not) in the institution's best interest to go by the NIOSH  values rather than the OSHA values (0.75 ppm TWA for formaldehyde).
All this is in the context of a renovation and expansion.  Any information on this would be greatly appreciated, including vendors for down-draft tables or other engineering control techniology (reviews, good+bad).   Thanks!

Barry Ferm, CHO & Lab Coordinator, St. Ambrose University, Davenport Iowa, fermbarreta**At_Symbol_Here**sau.edu