Paul,

Cadaver embalming fluids carry formaldehyde, phenol mixtures.

Take a look at the OSHA formaldehyde standard then do some vapor exposure monitoring using passive monitoring badges to determine the next steps to take. Ensure engineering and administrative controls are in place. Waste should be collected as chemical waste because of the formaldehyde and phenol involvement. Formaldehyde OSHA PEL is 0.75ppm, Phenol OSHA PEL is 5ppm  

The OSHA links with more information are below:

https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_id=10075&p_table=STANDARDS

https://www.osha.gov/dsg/annotated-pels/tablez-1.html

 

 

 

 

Good morning,

 

In the development of our new College of Osteopathic Medicine a question came up about their Gross Anatomy lab. After they are finished with the dissections of the cadavers and are cleaning off the tables what are the regulations for those fluids? Is everything collected as biohazardous/pathological waste?

 

Thanks,

 

Paul Battles

Chemical & Laboratory Safety Coordinator

Environmental Health, Safety & Risk Management

Risk Management Webpage

Sam Houston State University

1831 University Ave  =81 Suite 304

Huntsville, TX. 77340

936.294.2672

pmb024**At_Symbol_Here**shsu.edu

 

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