A detailed methodology for estimating health-related hazards of workplace exposure to indoor formaldehyde vapours

Abstract

A comprehensive risk assessment method was applied to examine the risks associated with airborne formaldehyde occupational exposure among hospital laboratory staff. The method assessed exposure levels and health impacts by integrating area and personal air sampling, biological monitoring, and self-reported health data. Samples were collected from 74 workplaces across various departments using NIOSH method 3500 and were analyzed via UV-vis spectrophotometry. The data showed significant differences in exposure levels between departments (p≤0.05) and confirmed the efficacy of the method in identifying risk differences. Despite average personal exposure levels being measured lower than occupational limits, individual assessments indicated that some participants surpassed these limits, emphasizing the necessity of personal monitoring for workers with higher risks. The high prevalence of respiratory symptoms, such as cough and wheezing among staff, indicated the need for further investigation and targeted interventions. Although estimated cancer and non-cancer risks were within safe thresholds, the study emphasized the importance of continuous exposure monitoring and the implementation of effective control measures in hospital laboratory departments with formaldehyde emission. This integrated method improved the reliability and generalizability of formaldehyde exposure risk assessments and aided in the development of safe occupational health practices.•The method integrated personal and area sampling with advanced calibration for precise occupational exposure evaluation in laboratories.•The method used of biomarkers to assess formaldehyde absorption in the body estimating both cancerous and non-cancerous health risks associated with occupational exposure.•Addressed traditional method limitations and integrated risk components to improve data reliability for workplace safety and health risk management.

Keywords: Application of Biological, carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risk assessment of formaldehyde in hospital laboratory; Biological monitoring; Environmental monitoring; Occupational exposure; Respiratory symptoms; Risk assessment.

Graphical abstract

Fig. 1

Integrated sampling and analytical setup and implementation for assessing formaldehyde exposure in medical laboratories.

Fig. 2

Comparison of personal and area exposure to airborne formaldehyde in laboratory workspaces (****P-Value ≤ 0.0001).

Fig. 3

Personal exposure of formaldehyde (ppm) in various sampling sites of laboratory workplaces and comparison with recommended exposure limit (****P-Value ≤ 0.0001).

Fig. 4

Area airborne concentration of formaldehyde (ppm) in various sampling sites of laboratory workplaces and comparison with recommended exposure limit (****P-Value ≤ 0.0001).

Fig. 5

Personal and area concentrations of formaldehyde (ppm) in various sampling sites of laboratory workplaces and comparison with occupational exposure limits.

Fig. 6

Frequency of respiratory symptoms among medical laboratory staff exposed to formaldehyde.