BACKGROUND: The sensitizing potency of formaldehyde and phenol during anatomy dissecting was investigated. The objective was to determine whether exposure induces specific IgE or IgG against formaldehyde-albumin or phenol-albumin. METHODS: In 27 medical students, specific IgE against formaldehyde-albumin by RAST plus ELISA and specific IgE against phenol-albumin by ELISA were assessed. In addition, specific IgG against formaldehyde-albumin was assessed in 23 students. Symptoms before and during dissecting were assessed, and indoor formaldehyde and phenol were measured. RESULTS: Mean indoor formaldehyde was 0.265 +/- 0.07 mg/m3, and mean indoor phenol was 4.65 +/- 2.96 mg/m3. Specific IgE/IgG against formaldehyde-albumin was not found at the beginning. Four students developed specific IgE against formaldehyde-albumin (RAST classes of > or =2.0), and all four also had specific IgE in the ELISA, but IgG against formaldehyde-albumin was not found. Specific IgE against phenol-albumin was not seen. Itch and paresthesia of the hands (P<0.00001), dizziness (P<0.008), burning eyes (P<0.01), headache, sneezing, epistaxis, gingival bleeding, oral or pharyngeal itch, and shortness of breath were experienced. CONCLUSIONS: Formaldehyde exposure during dissecting may induce specific IgE, but not IgG, against formaldehyde-albumin. Sensitization did not correlate with symptoms.
BACKGROUND: The sensitizing potency of formaldehyde and phenol during anatomy dissecting was investigated. The objective was to determine whether exposure induces specific IgE or IgG against formaldehyde-albumin or phenol-albumin. METHODS: In 27 medical students, specific IgE against formaldehyde-albumin by RAST plus ELISA and specific IgE against phenol-albumin by ELISA were assessed. In addition, specific IgG against formaldehyde-albumin was assessed in 23 students. Symptoms before and during dissecting were assessed, and indoor formaldehyde and phenol were measured. RESULTS: Mean indoor formaldehyde was 0.265 +/- 0.07 mg/m3, and mean indoor phenol was 4.65 +/- 2.96 mg/m3. Specific IgE/IgG against formaldehyde-albumin was not found at the beginning. Four students developed specific IgE against formaldehyde-albumin (RAST classes of > or =2.0), and all four also had specific IgE in the ELISA, but IgG against formaldehyde-albumin was not found. Specific IgE against phenol-albumin was not seen. Itch and paresthesia of the hands (P<0.00001), dizziness (P<0.008), burning eyes (P<0.01), headache, sneezing, epistaxis, gingival bleeding, oral or pharyngeal itch, and shortness of breath were experienced. CONCLUSIONS:Formaldehyde exposure during dissecting may induce specific IgE, but not IgG, against formaldehyde-albumin. Sensitization did not correlate with symptoms.
Authors: Soraya de M Ochs; Lucas de O Grotz; Luciara S Factorine; Mauro R Rodrigues; Annibal D Pereira Netto Journal: Environ Sci Pollut Res Int Date: 2012-02-10 Impact factor: 4.223
Authors: Gregory Dussor; J Yan; Jennifer Y Xie; Michael H Ossipov; David W Dodick; Frank Porreca Journal: ACS Chem Neurosci Date: 2014-08-29 Impact factor: 4.418