Hello Dr. Hale and Infant Risk Team, I hope this finds you well. I am incoming PA student and begin gross anatomy in a few weeks. I breastfeed my four-month old. While I would like to continue to nurse/pump through his first year, I am concerned about formaldehyde exposure in the anatomy lab. I am aware that formaldehyde is classified as L4. The lab director informed me that the lab met OSHA standards for phenol and formaldehyde levels at every test for the last twenty years. The embalming solution is 12% phenol, about 2-3% formaldehyde, 25% alcohol, and 25% glycerine plus water. The ventilation achieves 12-15 complete air exchanges per hour.
If I wear a full-face respirator with formaldehyde cartridges, will this office sufficient protection so I may continue to breastfeed? I expect to spend four to eight hours a week in lab. Or, should I wean my son, who will soon enter day care, to formula?
Thank you in advance!
Sincerely,
Katie
If I wear a full-face respirator with formaldehyde cartridges, will this office sufficient protection so I may continue to breastfeed? I expect to spend four to eight hours a week in lab. Or, should I wean my son, who will soon enter day care, to formula?
Thank you in advance!
Sincerely,
Katie
Comment