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IJAR.2017.187

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Type of Article:  Original Research

Volume 5; Issue 2.2 (May 2017)

Page No.: 3809-3812

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar.2017.187

EMBALMING FLUID- A POISONOUS PRESERVATION POTION: EFFECTS ON PULMONARY FUNCTIONS OF STUDENTS

Rashmi Malhotra *1, Rajesh Kathrotia 2, Arun Goel 2, Yogesh Singh 2.

*1 Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, India.

2 Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, India.

Corresponding Author: Dr. Rashmi Malhotra,  Assistant Professor, department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh – 249 203, India. E-Mail: rashmimalhotraaiimsr@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the effects of acute exposure of embalming fluid fumes on the pulmonary functions in first year medical students.

Materials and Methods: The present study was carried out on 40 healthy, non- smoker first year medical students. The participants were exposed to embalming fluid fumes during cadaver dissection for duration of two hours. Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) were performed with computerized spirometer, prior to and immediately after the exposure. The outcome measures were Vital capacity (VC), Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), FEV1/ FVC ratio, Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), FEF25-75% and subjective symptoms reported by participants.

Results: The acute exposure of embalming fluid fumes was associated with significant decrease in FEV1/FVC ratio and FEF25-75%. Rest of the respiratory parameters did not show significant changes. The chief subjective complaints of the participants were pungent smell (92%), throat congestion (72%), burning sensation in eye (70%), headache (60%), nausea (52%) and rhinorrhoea (45%).

Conclusion: The acute exposure to fumes of embalming fluid during cadaver dissection was suggestive of respiratory function dysfunction at the level of mid-airway obstruction and mucosal irritation.

Key words: Embalming fluid fumes, FEV1/FVC ratio, FEF25-75%.

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Cite this article: Rashmi Malhotra, Rajesh Kathrotia, Arun Goel, Yogesh Singh. EMBALMING FLUID- A POISONOUS PRESERVATION POTION: EFFECTS ON PULMONARY FUNCTIONS OF STUDENTS. Int J Anat Res 2017;5(2.2):3809-3812. DOI: 10.16965/ijar.2017.187