Why formaldehyde is so dangerous?
Formaldehyde is a highly toxic substance for people in proximity of it as well as harmful to the environment.
Inhalation of Formaldehyde fumes can irritate the nose and throat and irritate eyes and skin when within close distance of it. In high concentrations, it can also lead to respiratory issues, headaches, and nausea. In severe cases, prolonged exposure to formaldehyde has also been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, including nasopharyngeal cancer and leukaemia.
Formaldehyde also has a negative effect on the environment, when released into the air or combusted its hazardous fumes can contribute to air pollution and has a harmful effect on ecosystems.
Solutions and Preventions
At Solmedia we understand the risks that histopathology technicians face in their day-to-day job, and have created an extensive portfolio of equipment and products that are designed to keep you safe within the laboratory. Below is a collection of tools and equipment we have available to protect you against the risks that come with using Formaldehyde:
Formaldehyde Particle Detector
The PPM Air Meter identifies, measures and monitors airborne formaldehyde particles that exist in your working environment using a unique air quality management software.
The monitor can be quickly and easily mounted onto the wall to allow samples to be taken as often as possible by the Formaldemeter or Glutaraldemeter. The duration of sampling depends on the sample concentration duration depends on sample concentration.
When formaldehyde gas enters the sensor chamber, it reacts with a chemical reagent within the sensor and generates an electrical signal. The digital signal is processed by a microprocessor, which calculates the formaldehyde concentration and then displays it on a digital screen, in parts per million (PPM). If the formaldehyde concentration exceeds certain thresholds, the detector can trigger an alarm.
Aspirated Work Cabins
Our CT_ASP aspirated work cabins are designed to protect users and the environment when handling samples by containing hazardous aerosols and controlling contamination and sterility. The cabins successfully protect users with its polycarbonate front splash screen barrier and extracts and filters out hazardous fumes safely through an active carbon filter impregnated with potassium permanganate that is effective against Formaldehyde and Xylene.
Grossing Stations
Our range of ET 101 and ET 107 Grossing Stations from AnatHomic Solutions provide ease of use of formalin whilst ensuring the complete safety of users. Ergonomic features such as integrated formalin dispenser taps and foot pedal control are complimented with a 3-way aspiration system from the lower, upper, and back area to protect users from the inhalations of Formaldehyde. The effective aspiration system is made up of compact electric fans, fitted with flow regulators that allow adaptation to the more extreme conditions. An intuitive touchscreen control panel allows you to control the aspiration, adjust the ventilation speed percentage, and control the bulk head to meet your personal needs.
Every workstation is also fitted with an emergency stop for optimum safety allowing you to stop all operations immediately and cause the splash shield on ET-107 to drop to maximum and on both the ET-107 and ET-101 the aspiration will be activated at 100%.
Fume Hoods – Ducted and Ductless
The Frontier ® Ducted Fume Hood is the ideal solution for common laboratory applications such as boiling, evaporation, drying, and other applications that emit noxious fumes and vapours. The SS 304 airfoil safely ventilates fumes generated towards the back of the hood for superior operator protection whilst the Bypass Airflow System redistributes air intake when the sash is closed improving containment.
Alternatively, the Esco Ascent™ Ductless Fume Hood utilises a carbon filtration system, Nanocarb™, to remove toxic chemical fumes and recycle clean air back to the laboratory with no extraction system. The ductless fume hood’s range plug-and-play feature offers energy savings, convenience and mobility, with the additional prevention of downtime.
Vaportest
Formaldehyde Passive Vaportest Badge monitors personnel or work areas in healthcare and laboratories. The badge easily attaches to your clothing and contains a tape treated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) for the reliable collection of formaldehyde. Due to high sampling rate and sensitive analysis, the Formaldehyde Passive Vaportest Badge can be used for 15-minute (STEL) in the 5ppb to 5pm range including personal monitoring of up to 8 hours and static monitoring of contaminates for up to 24-hours.
Formasafe
Formasafe branded products are designed to neutralise NBF (4% Formaldehyde) for safe disposal. It is available in multiple easy-to-use forms, including powder, granules or absorption pads that help clean up any spillages safely. Each Formasafe product comes with its own unique instructions of use for eliminating fumes and vapours and preventing technicians from long exposure to Formaldehyde.
Proper cleanup of a Formalin spill is crucial to minimise exposure and environmental contamination and many regulatory agencies require workplaces where hazardous chemicals are used, to have spill control measures in place. Therefore, we have created a complete Spill Kit that contains absorbent pads, neutralisers, disposal bags, gloves and additional safety products to enable 1 or 2 users to safely clean up and dispose of the spilt Formalin.
To learn more about our range of equipment and products that we have available to keep you and your team safe against the risks of using formaldehyde, speak to our team about your level of usage and processes and we will provide you with a safety solution tailored around your laboratory.
T: +44 (0) 844 8080 900
E: labsupplies@solmedialtd.com