Girish V. Patil1, Shishirkumar2, Thejeshwari3, Apoorva D4, Javed Sharif5, C. Sheshgiri6, Sushant N. K7
ABSTRACT: Formalin is used as a preservative for human cadaver. The present study was conducted in 300 1st MBBS students to find out and quantify the toxic effects of formalin. Formalin, which has been a well-established preservative for cadavers in the anatomy laboratory for years, has an odor that many anatomy students find unpleasant. In our study 82% (246) students have reported irritation and watering of eyes and also felt that it was first to be developed and the most troublesome symptom. Others reported symptoms includes tingling sensation in nose (22%-66), irritation of throat (41%-123), cough (14%-42), headache (8%-24), skin problems (15%-45) and other like giddiness, lack of concentration (10% - 30), Difficulty in breathing (2%-6). Cadaver preservative (Formalin) used for decades is causing numerous biological effects, to minimize these effects there is a need of newer low formaldehyde cadaver preservative is needed.
