Formaldehyde Exposure in the Funeral Industry

Abstract

An assessment of formaldehyde exposure was conducted among embalmers in the funeral industry in the province of Manitoba, Canada. The occupational exposure limit is defined by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists' threshold limit value-ceiling of 0.37 mg/m³ (0.3 ppm). Personal and area midget impingers were used to monitor the embalming procedure. Samples were analyzed according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Method 3500. Thirty-six embalmings were monitored in 18 chapels. Personal formaldehyde exposures of embalmers during an intact body preparation (< 1 hour) ranged from 0.12 to 5.64 mg/m³ [arithmetic mean (AM) = 0.78, standard deviation (SD) = 1.06, number (N) = 24]. During an autopsy preparation (<2 hours >), exposures ranged from 0.11 to 4.13 mg/m³ (AM = 0.80, SD = 0.96, N = 24). Student's t-test did not present a significant difference (p > 0.05) between the two types of body preparations. Concentration for area samples ranged from 0.05 to 8.37 mg/m³ (AM = 0.61, SD = 1.24, N = 72). Health effects identified by some embalmers included irritation of the mucous membranes and chest tightness. Most embalmers are immunized with the hepatitis B vaccine. Universal precautions against infectious agents were not strictly adhered to in most embalmings. An upgrading of engineering controls, improved work practices, and use of personal protective equipment was required in the majority of funeral chapels. The principle of down-draft ventilation was adapted to some existing morgue tables. Compliance under the Canadian Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System Legislation was reviewed. In conclusion, the majority of embalmers operating funeral chapels in Manitoba were being overexposed to airborne formaldehyde according to the standard.