Determination of the amount of airborne formaldehyde vapor that and preventive measures to be taken against it at Ege University Faculty of Fisheries Museum (ESFM)

At Ege University Fisheries Faculty Museum (ESFM), individuals belonging to species that are collected and assigned in scientific expeditions carried out in the fresh waters and coasts of our country and Northern Cyprus are taken under protection. Most of these individuals are the basis for various scientific research and are used as comparison material. Individuals belonging to the museum collection are stored in 10% formalin solution or 70% ethyl alcohol. Formaldehyde is known as carcinogen. In this study was performed the measurement of formaldehyde vapor in the atmosphere of samples in the formalin solution in ESFM and risk analysis for improving the environment. In the study, risk assessment was made according to L type matrix method and 21 risk hazard were determined. The identified risks, 8 could not be tolerated, 10 were at high-risk risk and 3 were at moderate risk level. As a result of formaldehyde vapor measurements at the museum, formaldehyde vapor concentration was measured at a concentration of more than 0,3 ppm, which is the occupational exposure limit. It is necessary to keep the formaldehyde concentration below 0,3 ppm in the formaldehyde studied environment. Personal protective equipment should be used to prevent harmful effects of formaldehyde. Personnel with chronic conjunctivitis, upper and lower respiratory tract diseases should stay away from the museum environment until their illness is completely over. As far as possible, contact times with formaldehyde should be reduced by providing appropriate conversions between staff.