Exposure and Management of the Health Risk for the Use of Formaldehyde and Xylene in a Large Pathology Laboratory

Abstract Background Formaldehyde and xylene are two hazardous chemicals widely used in pathology laboratories all over the world. The aim of this work was to survey a large volume lab, measuring exposure workers residents formaldehyde xylene, verify efficacy undertaken preventive actions accomplishment with occupational limit values. Methods Environmental, personal, biological monitoring different lab rooms 29 attendants repeated yearly from 2017 2020. Continuous airborne performed evaluate pattern concentrations while specific tasks were performed. Several risk management mitigation measures, including setting new grossing room, reducing number samples be soaked formaldehyde, improving practices equipment, such as use chemical hoods, after each campaign, based on results obtained monitoring. Results Significant exposures pathologists residents, especially during samples, observed first 2 years, exceeding value; following surveys showed that measures effective personal exposure. Xylene, assessed both environmental monitoring, always well below value values, respectively. Conclusion Critical air laboratory could reduced re-organization spaces, improved procedures, awareness training initiatives.