tricks at the surg path desk?

[sweetymd]

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i really enjoy path tremendously, just about all aspects of it. however, i never imagined i would be so sensitive to the abundance of formalin, etc that we're exposed to. i've tried rinsing my specimens under running water thoroughly and ive even tried weaaring a mask, but after a few hrs, taht just makes me feel hypercapneic. do u guys know of any other tricks to help with this? everyday, my eyes start twicthcing and watering and my nares start burning. it really detracts from my enjoyment at work. the only other thing i can think of is wearing a respirator, but that seems extreme.
thanks!

 

[yaah]

Is the grossing bench adequately ventilated? By law (I think), they are required to have some sort of formalin monitoring device which would detect higher levels. If you are thoroughly rinsing the specimens off there shouldn't be that much of a problem provided ventilation is adequate. I suppose you could be hypersensitive to it - there are many people with formalin allergies and sometimes respirators are their only successful remedy.

 

[mlw03]

if other residents/PAs are having the same issue, it's probably a ventilation and/or concentration of the formlin issue. assuming it's just you, the question is whether what you're experiencing is a direct chemical irritation versus a type I style immune reaction. what you describe sounds somewhat like hayfever. you could try taking a 10mg loratadine before you go to the gross bench. if that works, you have your solution since it's cheap, non-drowsy, and safe. if it's a chemical irritation it's a tougher problem and you may have to wear some sort of barrier.

 

[Napoleon1801]

I wonder if there's a way to get a chemistry hood to use that has negative pressue on it so the fumes don't reach you? Probably an extreme accommodation though...

 

[docbiohazard]

I have known women who were considering getting pregnant to get fit tested for organic vapor respirators by our health & safety department, which the department then provided. Not sure how much that would help with the skin/contact aspect of the allergy though.

A good first step would be, as has been mentioned, to make sure there's a ventilation system at the bench and that it is, in fact, functioning, and not blocked up by old paperwork/equipment. Only other tip I can think of is to close any open containers of formalin you have around - like specimen containers or the trays that are holding your loaded cassettes.

DBH

 

[LADoc00]

I had a fairly severe type of chemical contact dermatitis as a resident when I did epic grossing sessions. Nothing helped much other than doing CP rotations. The key is finish your training and find a group where you dont have to gross much.

 

[yaah]

I had a fairly severe type of chemical contact dermatitis as a resident when I did epic grossing sessions. Nothing helped much other than doing CP rotations. The key is finish your training and find a group where you dont have to gross much.

Me too actually, my problem was that I would gross without covering up my forearms and inevitably I would put my forearms on the grossing bench at various points. That led to contact dermatitis. For me, it would have helped to wear an apron/gown with full arm coverings.