Abstract

Hussein Abdu, Yamrot Kinfu and Asrat Agalu*

Formaldehyde is a flammable, colourless gas with pungent odour and readily polymerized at ambient temperature. It is one of the major pollutants in indoor air. It is found in the environment as a result of natural processes and from man-made sources and it is widely used in industries and medical settings. Several symptoms might be manifested related to formaldehyde –exposure among which lethargy, decrease in motor activity, and loss of appetite is common. Formaldehyde resulted in minor headache to irreversible neurotoxicity and brain cancer. The neurotoxic effects produced by formaldehyde exposure are dependent on the concentration of formaldehyde and duration of exposure which is more pronounced in concentrated and increased duration of exposure. Acute exposure to low concentrations it leads to stimulation while in higher concentrations it acts as central nervous system depression. The formaldehyde exposure in adult and postnatal period results in an increase oxidant substances though it causes a decrease in the antioxidant enzymatic activity in the rat frontal cortex and hippocampus. It was indicated that formaldehyde induces several characteristics of neurotoxicity. Anatomists, histologists, pathologists, medical students, embalmers and members of industries utilizing formaldehyde is more exposed to formaldehyde gas. Therefore, it is recommended to use personal protective equipment, maintaining high room air exhaust rates and concentrations of formaldehyde in work places should be monitored by using standard measuring machines.