Abstract:
Formaldehyde is a volatile organic compound that has serious effects on human health and
considered a human carcinogen based on sufficient human and animal inhalation studies. In
mortuaries, formaldehyde is commonly used for the preservation of the dead. Formaldehyde was
measured during working hours in March 2018 in five mortuaries in Egypt. Formaldehyde
recorded 1.69 ± 0.72, 1.80 ± 0.69, 0.94 ± 0.56, 1.08 ± 0.33, and 0.13 ± 0.05ppm in the five
mortuaries. These concentrations exceeded air quality limits of the Egyptian Environmental
Affairs Agency (0.3ppm) in all sites except the 5th mortuary and exceeded air quality limits of
the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in all sites (0.016. ppm). Hazard Rating
Number system is used in this work as a simple tool to assess the risk of exposure to
formaldehyde in mortuaries and recorded high levels of risk in most cases. The study indicated
that Hazard Rating Number system can be used as a preliminary risk assessment tool that can be
calculated by non-specialists to take decisions when high formaldehyde concentration is
detected. According to the risk control hierarchy, there are several control options that need
further scientific studies such as using virtual reality and augmented reality, decreasing noise of
ventilation systems, and substitution of formaldehyde by other preservative solutions to decrease
the risk of exposure to formaldehyde in mortuaries. Finally, the study focused on the serious
need for risk communication activities to increase awareness of workers and students about
formaldehyde health risk |
