Toxic Effects of Formalin on Ist Year M.B.B.S. Students: A Cohort Study

Background: Formalin can lead to allergy, toxicity, and carcinomas. In the anatomy department, students get exposed to formalin either by inhaling it or by the skin as fluids containing formaldehyde may be absorbed. Formalin interacts with molecules on the cell membrane producing changes in the nuclei, changes in proteins, vacuolation of cytoplasm, and changes in DNA.

Objective: To estimate the toxic effects of formalin on Ist year medical students.

Methodology: The participants for this prospective cohort study will be Ist year M.B.B.S. students at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Sawangi (meghe), Wardha. The self-administered questionnaire will be given, and complete blood count and thyroid function tests will be done before the study. After cadaveric dissection, a repeat blood sample will be collected to estimate the complete blood count and thyroid function tests.

Expected Results: Exposure to formalin may lead to abnormal values of complete blood count(CBC) and thyroid function tests (TFT).

Conclusion: The study can focus on the toxic effects of formalin on Ist year M.B.B.S. students, which may necessitate reconsidering the formalin volume and ventilation issue in the dissecting halls. There should be regular assessment of working practices to control the effects of formalin at the department of Anatomy.