From: Monona Rossol <actsnyc**At_Symbol_Here**cs.com>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Cadaver labs and formaldehyde
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2014 10:01:42 -0400
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: 8D18E843B448757-343C-28EC0**At_Symbol_Here**webmail-va044.sysops.aol.com
In-Reply-To <4F21A5F3A002444D8B4F5E4B767431E537678B75**At_Symbol_Here**EXMBX2010-7.campus.MCGILL.CA>


Well, I'm between trips so I haven't seen all of this thread, but I'm disappointed.  If HOCH is replaced in anatomy labs, where is the information about the replacements?
 
I got the MSDS (2012) for Infutrace (Sasco Chemical) and it is proprietary, unregulated and untested for chronic toxicity. But that doesn't mean it doesn't have any chronic toxicity.  I have a problem with exposing students to a large volume of an untested, unidentified chemical.  And worse--it may be a plasticizer as suggested which means it's going right through those thin surgical gloves.  And if it plasticizes a stiff, it can plasticize a live body as well.
 
The MSDS recommends Neoprene gloves, but there's no information on thickness, how long they should be used, etc..  And usually students attacking a cadaver use thin surgical gloves.
 
I don't think we need to go into the many "safe" plasticizers that later have been found to be a big problem in even  miniscule amounts.   I don't understand how people can justify recommending a chemical product for a purpose like this  without  knowing what it is, what is known about it and, more importantly, what is NOT known about it. 
 
A risk assessment is needed here.
 
 
Monona Rossol, M.S., M.F.A., Industrial Hygienist
President:  Arts, Crafts & Theater Safety, Inc.
Safety Officer: Local USA829, IATSE
181 Thompson St., #23
New York, NY 10012     212-777-0062
actsnyc**At_Symbol_Here**cs.com   www.artscraftstheatersafety.org

 
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Wayne Wood <wayne.wood**At_Symbol_Here**MCGILL.CA>
To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Sent: Mon, Aug 25, 2014 9:05 am
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Cadaver labs and formaldehyde

See replies to john Nail's questions below:   >A question for those of you who have cadaver labs -  >Does a 'formaldehyde-free' embalming method for lab cadavers exist?  Yes, but it is not a simple perfusion and involves the full immersion of the  cadaver in a tank.   Alternatively you can still embalm with formalin-based fluids but then you can  replace them with Infutrace or plasticizer so that the cadavers have little or  no HCHO in them when they are brought into the student lab.    >If a university is building a cadaver lab, does the lab need to have  specialized equipment that will remove airborne formaldehyde?  If you have cadavers preserved in formalin you need a local exhaust system (e.g.  downdraft dissection tables) to protect the students and instructors from  exposure.  The area where you prep the cadavers should have a top quality local  exhaust system as the technicians who do this work are there for the long term  and are at greatest risk of exposure.  >Can the air in the lab be vented to outside the building without treatment?   It depends on the concentration coming out the stack and what your local  authorizes will allow but in my experience there will be so much air flowing  through your exhaust system that the resultant effluent concentration may very  well be below regulated levels.    >Is there a legal (compliance or civil) reason to be monitoring for  formaldehyde?  In my jurisdiction we have to monitor annually, due to the fact HCHO has made  its way onto the carcinogen list. As well, due diligence dictates that you need  to have good monitoring data if ever you are challenged with any lawsuits.  True  story: in our case the availability of reliable exposure data saved us millions  of dollars.   W.   >Many thanks for your replies,  >John Nail >Professor of Chemistry >Oklahoma City University  Wayne Wood, CIH | Associate Director, University Safety (EHS), University  Services - Directeur Adjoint, Direction de la pr=C3=A9vention (SSE), Services  universitaires | McGill University | 3610 rue McTavish Street, 4th floor |  Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3A 1Y2 | Tel: (514) 398-2391 

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