Formaldehyde exposure in human pathology: Part 1-Inventory within the framework of the Joint German Occupational Safety and Health Strategy (GDA) and planning of a measurement program

In Germany, around 350 institutes for human pathology conduct diagnostic tests on tissue samples, with formaldehyde playing a central role due to its important preservative properties. However, formaldehyde also poses a health risk as it is carcinogenic and possibly mutagenic. Studies from 2016 to 2019 showed that the limit values for formaldehyde are still exceeded in many pathologies. The main causes are insufficiently effective extraction systems and unfavorable working practices. Ajoint project with the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance (IFA) used test bench measurements to identify suitable volume flows for effective extraction. Plant inspections by the BGW as part of a work program by The Joint German Occupational Safety and Health Strategy (GDA) called ,,Safe handling of carcinogenic hazardous substances" led to the identification of 30 out of a total of over 130 pathologies inspected that correspond to a good state of the art. An MGU measurement program (MGU: German Social Accident Insurance Institutions'measurement system for exposure assessment) launched in May 2024 is intended to prove that it is possible to fall below the formaldehyde limits with standard practical measures. The results are to be incorporated into recommendations for risk assessment (EGU) and describe good occupational health and safety standards in pathologies.