Formaldehyde/Carcinogen

[Brasco888]

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Formaldehyde has just recently been added to the U.S. list of 240 carcinogens recognized by the National Toxicology Program.

Has anyone heard if the prolonged exposure to air in a cadaver lab (for example) is cause for concern?

Thanks.

 

[sineapse]

I would be more concerned about the carcinogen content of exhaust fumes than cadaver lab formaldehyde, tbh.

 

[Brasco888]

I would be more concerned about the carcinogen content of exhaust fumes than cadaver lab formaldehyde, tbh.

Touché..... guess you have to keep it in perspective. Thanks

 

[sineapse]

Touché..... guess you have to keep it in perspective. Thanks

In all seriousness, I don't know *how* carcinogenic it is supposed to be, but it isn't used in European labs to preserve cadavers. I am sure some old specimens are still in formalin but these are sealed and you wouldn't be exposed to the gas. I am sure the States doesn't use it either.

 

[Brasco888]

CDC has always listed it as a carcinogen IIRC. That's why you wear PPE when you dissect.

I did not realize this. Good to know, puts me at ease. 🙂

 

[CaptainSSO]

Hey Brasco, you do know that just by being a man in America you have a ~50% liftetime chance of developing cancer, right? So don't be too much at ease. You'll still probably get cancer.

 

[Brasco888]

Hey Brasco, you do know that just by being a man in America you have a ~50% liftetime chance of developing cancer, right? So don't be too much at ease. You'll still probably get cancer.

Everyone will get cancer if they live long enough. I was also told by an oncologist who treated my mother that positive thinking has a powerful effect on the progress of the disease, so I'm not sure that your approach will work best for me. Guess we'll compare notes at a later date.

 

[CaptainSSO]

Everyone will get cancer if they live long enough. I was also told by an oncologist who treated my mother that positive thinking has a powerful effect on the progress of the disease, so I'm not sure that your approach will work best for me. Guess we'll compare notes at a later date.

Indeed.

 

[sineapse]

I was also told by an oncologist who treated my mother that positive thinking has a powerful effect on the progress of the disease

Well, yes, it stops you getting CFS/ME I guess.

 

[eablackwell]

CDC has always listed it as a carcinogen IIRC. That's why you wear PPE when you dissect.

This. One of the reasons you can't have it in high school anymore. FYI, at least at the school I taught at we weren't even allowed to use acetone because of this.

Student painting toenails: ok
Cleaning glassware: NO! They'll get cancer!

I felt like I was in that SP episode where they classified curse words as bad or good via usage 😉