How dangerous are trace amounts of formaldehyde, as in a class room setting.?

Question

I am taking an anatomy class at my Junior College, but the professor did mention that there may be traces of formaldehyde on the tables due to the dissections done in previous classes, but the tables are cleaned(but with what?).

Is this really something to worry about, because I want to start working after class, and I don't have time to take out my clothes and wash my hands and arms like an OCD person(oh and it involves working with early teens). Because that's what I did today after class anyway(except I took a shower).

And I don't know how to take notes while avoiding to touch the table.

Answer 1

It really does not make sense to use formaldehyde, its use predates the genetic understanding of mutations.

Formaldehyde causes point mutations, it is a gas that is breathed in by the lungs, anything that causes mutations has to both promote cancer and birth defects.

It really should be banned, but its use has the momentum of a freight train. Someone needs to stand up and say the King is wearing no clothes!

Do we need a long term study of separate groups of people, those who are exposed contrasted with those who are not to get it banned? The fact we know it causes mutations should be enough.

Answer 2

As far as I know trace amounts of formadehyde on skin isn't going to bother you too much. It takes ages for the chemical to penetrate even a millimeter or tissue when it is submerged in a sample pot. Your skin is a good barrier in any case, with dead skin cells on the top protecting you.

It's more likely to irritate you if you can smell it. A quick wash will get most of it off your hands so there's not much to worry about.

Answer 3

Trace amounts of formaldehyde on desk tops should not cause much of a concern to you. One reason is because that particular chemical species has quite a low boiling point, i.e. all that would be left after a dissection would be a residue after class. Especially considering the material your lab desks are made of. I assume that they are a heavy slate/laminate material which is black in coloration? These are chemically resistant coatings which furthermore lessen the cause for concern. However you can always look up the MSDS for formaldehyde and scare yourself...

Answer 4

Generally, if they clean off the tables, there's not enough formaldehyde left to do any damage, unless you personally happen to be unusually sensitive to it.  I've done dissections before, and cleaned the tables off and it was just fine to lean on the tables afterward.

You just don't want to eat anything off those tables...yet another reason you should never bring snacks into a science lab!