Health Hazard Evaluation Report No. HETA 82-303-1271, St. Francis Hospital, Honolulu, Hawaii

摘要

To evaluate formaldehyde exposures to hemodialysis technicians, on July 28-30, 1982, 17 area air samples were collected for airborne formaldehyde concentration during sterilization of artificial kidneys and dialysis consoles. Airborne formaldehyde ranged from 0.04-1.28 ppm, based on 1-hour sampling periods. NIOSH recommends that airborne formaldehyde exposures be maintained to the lowest feasible limit because of its potential carcinogenicity. Earlier NIOSH recommendations based on irritancy recommended that formaldehyde exposure be held below 0.5 ppm. Medical evaluation consisted of a review of 20 questionnaires collected by the Hawaii Nurses Association and of private interviews with 22 workers at the various units. Recommendations to improve the situation are included, the major one being to isolate the Lixivitron machines from the patient area.