Dear Histonetters:

I have a question regarding formaldehyde exposure in the pregnant employee.
The levels monitored for formaldehyde are below the OSHA action levels for
the 15 min. STEL and 8 hr. TWA.  A doctor (employee health), not the
employeeis personal physician, recommended our pathology technician be
reassigned to a work area without any exposure to formaldehyde.  The doctor
said, iany level of detectable formaldehyde presents a risk to the
developing fetus.i  This effectively removes our trained tech from autopsy,
surgical pathology and her crosstrained duties in histology. Has anyone
observed the same situation in your workplace?  Is this prudent action in
terms of risk management or just going overboard? I appreciate any comments
on this issue.

Mark Briones, Administrative Supervisor - Anatomic Pathology, Valley
Childrenis Hospital,  Madera CA,  E-mail: vchanatomicpath@hotmail.com