The Independent Central of Unions and Civil Servants (CSIF) demands the immediate solution of all problems serious deficiencies in the Pathological Anatomy Laboratory of the University Hospital of Toledo (HUT), which seriously endanger the health and safety of workers and patients.
This Wednesday, in the sculpture room, dedicated to the macroscopic study of samples, the professionals had to leave the laboratory facilities and go out into the corridor because the atmosphere was unbreathable, causing Two people were poisoned and had to be treated by health personnel.. This incident also caused an operating room to be paralyzed, which is also worrying, since she was undergoing surgery.
This Pathological Anatomy Laboratory presented serious deficiencies almost from the start of its opening which were gradually corrected, but the sculpture room problem persistswhere there is a strong odor of formaldehyde which causes worker poisoning.
The staff of this department is made up of around fifty professionals, including laboratory technicians, pathology technicians, pathologists, residents, administrative assistants and guards.
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, exposure to formaldehyde during sculpting of pathological anatomy specimens, the main route of entry into the body is inhalation, can cause cancer (is linked to nasopharyngeal, nasal, myeloid and pulmonary leukemia); genetic defects; severe allergic reactions of the skin, eyes, respiratory tract and even generalized reactions such as anaphylactic shock; In the respiratory system, it produces a burning sensation, a dry, painful cough, edema and, in extreme cases, pneumonia and death, as well as chronic effects such as bronchitis; skin and eye injuries in case of contact; At the central nervous system level, effects such as irritability, problems with sleep, memory, balance and skills, fatigue, dizziness, nausea and headaches may occur.
Along with exposure to formaldehyde, in this laboratory there is also a risk of explosion due to the accumulation of flammable gas in the upper part of the extractor hood.
The CSIF demands the urgent correction of all deficiencies to guarantee the safety and health of workers and patients.
