Local Exhaust Ventilation of a Dissection Table

Abstract

Persons who work with human cadavers on dissection tables during and after embalming may be exposed to a variety of toxic vapors. The effectiveness of controlling such exposures by attaching an exhaust duct to the space below the work surface of a dissection table was investigated. Breathing zone concentrations of volatile materials emanating near the table surface were measured at four exhaust flow rates and two different levels of enclosure of the source. Test results showed mean reductions of 83–93 percent with exhaust flow rates from 1.4–4.2 m³/min (50–150 cfm) compared with no local exhaust ventilation, and a reduction of 100 percent at 7.1 m³/min (250 cfm). However, increased enclosure of the source, achieved by lowering the source into the table, did not appreciably affect breathing zone exposures. Since real work settings may differ from experimental conditions, verification of control efficacy by exposure monitoring is essential. Nevertheless, this simple table modification appears to be an effective alternative for control of exposures to airborne contaminants during work with cadavers.