Sister-chromatid exchanges in lymphocytes of anatomy students exposed to formaldehyde-embalming solution.

Sister-chromatid exchanges measured in the peripheral lymphocytes of 8 non-smoking persons after exposure to formaldehyde-embalming solution during a 10-week anatomy class showed a small (P = 0.02) average increase when compared with samples obtained from the same individuals immediately before exposure began. Breathing-zone air samples collected during dissection procedures showed a mean concentration of 1.2 ppm (1.5 mg/m3) formaldehyde.