Chemical risk perception among healthcare workers: formaldehyde exposure as a model for occupational prevention challenges
4 affiliations
- 1Occupational Medicine Research Group, Aragon-Health Research Institute (GIIS-063)
- 2Faculty of Medicine, University of Zaragoza
- 3Department of Pathology, Miguel Servet University Hospital
- 4Institute for Environmental Research (IUCA) of the University of Zaragoza
Abstract
Purpose: Occupational exposure to formaldehyde (FA) in the healthcare sector remains a significant concern due to its carcinogenic and genotoxic potential, particularly among professionals working in pathology and anatomy laboratories. The objective of this study was to analyze the scientific evidence, regulatory frameworks, and chemical risk perceptions associated with formaldehyde (FA) exposure in healthcare settings.
Methods: An integrated methodological design was employed. First, a systematic scoping review of scientific and grey literature was conducted to synthesize health effects and regulatory frameworks regarding FA. Second, an exploratory qualitative descriptive and interpretative study was carried out through two focus groups, comprising physicians and non-physician healthcare professionals, to explore subjective risk perceptions.
Results: The scoping review confirmed formaldehyde’s strong association with nasopharyngeal cancer and low-dose genotoxicity, while findings regarding myeloid leukemia remain inconsistent. Hospital exposure studies revealed that 83.3% of pathology laboratory evaluations documented ambient concentrations exceeding 0.3 ppm, with peak exposures in autopsy rooms reaching up to 8.4 ppm. The qualitative focus groups demonstrated a lower awareness of chemical hazards compared to biological risks, driven by the latent, non-visible nature of chemical exposure. Clear disparities across professional profiles were identified: non-prevention-specialist physicians exhibited lower risk perception and PPE adherence than non-physician healthcare staff. Key operational barriers included inadequate formal training, institutional productivity pressures prioritizing patient flow, and social stigma surrounding safety culture compliance.
Conclusion: These findings underscore the need for optimized preventive strategies, regulatory updates, and targeted awareness campaigns to safeguard worker health. This comprehensive approach highlights the importance of addressing both technical and subjective factors to effectively reduce FA exposure in healthcare settings.
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BibTeX
@article{garciaasun2026chemical,
title = {{Chemical risk perception among healthcare workers: formaldehyde exposure as a model for occupational prevention challenges}},
author = {Lara García-Asún and Emilio I. Abecia and Begoña Martínez-Jarreta},
journal = {Frontiers in Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2026.1944564},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1944564/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Chemical risk perception among healthcare workers: formaldehyde exposure as a model for occupational prevention challenges
AU - Lara García-Asún
AU - Emilio I. Abecia
AU - Begoña Martínez-Jarreta
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/22
JO - Frontiers in Public Health
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1944564
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1944564/full
AB - Purpose: Occupational exposure to formaldehyde (FA) in the healthcare sector remains a significant concern due to its carcinogenic and genotoxic potential, particularly among professionals working in pathology and anatomy laboratories. The objective of this study was to analyze the scientific evidence, regulatory frameworks, and chemical risk perceptions associated with formaldehyde (FA) exposure in healthcare settings. Methods: An integrated methodological design was employed. First, a systematic scoping review of scientific and grey literature was conducted to synthesize health effects and regulatory frameworks regarding FA. Second, an exploratory qualitative descriptive and interpretative study was carried out through two focus groups, comprising physicians and non-physician healthcare professionals, to explore subjective risk perceptions. Results: The scoping review confirmed formaldehyde’s strong association with nasopharyngeal cancer and low-dose genotoxicity, while findings regarding myeloid leukemia remain inconsistent. Hospital exposure studies revealed that 83.3% of pathology laboratory evaluations documented ambient concentrations exceeding 0.3 ppm, with peak exposures in autopsy rooms reaching up to 8.4 ppm. The qualitative focus groups demonstrated a lower awareness of chemical hazards compared to biological risks, driven by the latent, non-visible nature of chemical exposure. Clear disparities across professional profiles were identified: non-prevention-specialist physicians exhibited lower risk perception and PPE adherence than non-physician healthcare staff. Key operational barriers included inadequate formal training, institutional productivity pressures prioritizing patient flow, and social stigma surrounding safety culture compliance. Conclusion: These findings underscore the need for optimized preventive strategies, regulatory updates, and targeted awareness campaigns to safeguard worker health. This comprehensive approach highlights the importance of addressing both technical and subjective factors to effectively reduce FA exposure in healthcare settings.
SN - 2296-2565
ER -