Sains Malaysiana 50(8)(2021): 2241-2249

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2021-5008-09

Determination of Formaldehyde from Disposal of Formaldehyde Fixed Biological Specimen Buried in Soil

(Penentuan Formaldehid daripada Spesimen Biologi Formaldehid Kekal yang Tertanam dalam Tanah)

MUSFIROH JANI* & SHAFIQAH SHAHIRAH MOHAMMAD ZAKARIA

Faculty of Earth Science, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, 17600 Jeli, Kelantan Darul Naim, Malaysia

Received: 7 October 2020/Accepted: 28 December 2020

ABSTRACT

Biomedical waste specifically anatomical specimens and body parts will be incinerated by a local incineration facility. However, the incineration of formaldehyde fixed specimen from hospitals poses hazardous effect to human and environment due to an exposure of highly toxic gases such as dioxins and furans. In addition, this practise is considered as non-shariah compliance by Muslim community. Thus, a safer and shariah-compliance option to dispose anatomical specimens through deep burial has been introduced. The concern has been raised on the side effect of the formaldehyde treated specimen to the environment. Formaldehyde is used widely for preservation of surgical and anatomical specimens. The formaldehyde toxicity specifically on the soil, soil water, soil animals and plants should be considered after the burial of the anotamical specimens. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the side effect of formaldehyde on soil after the burial of formalin fixed specimen on the environment. In this study, the amount of soil elemental distribution and formaldehyde concentration of pre-burial and post-burial of biological specimen were evaluated by using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) and Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrophotometer instrument, respectively. For EDXRF analysis at Point C, soil elemental distribution after burial of dead biological specimens has higher concentration compared to before the burial. The concentration of formaldehyde at Point C was higher after the burial of dead biological specimen compared to before burial, which exceeds the tolerable concentration recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Keywords: Burial; formaldehyde; formalin; soil

ABSTRAK

Sisa bioperubatan terutamanya spesimen anatomi dan bahagian tubuh akan dibakar oleh kemudahan pembakaran setempat. Walau bagaimanapun, pembakaran spesimen yang dirawat dengan formaldehid daripada hospital boleh menimbulkan kesan berbahaya kepada manusia dan persekitaran disebabkan oleh pendedahan gas yang sangat toksik seperti dioksin dan furan. Tambahan pula, amalan ini dianggap sebagai tidak patuh syariah bagi komuniti Muslim. Oleh itu, pilihan yang lebih selamat dan patuh syariah untuk membuang spesimen anatomi melalui penanaman telah dicadangkan. Isu yang membimbangkan adalah kesan formaldehid pada spesimen yang dirawat kepada alam sekitar. Formaldehid digunakan secara meluas bagi pengawetan spesimen anatomi dan bedah. Ketoksikan formaldehid terutamanya ke atas tanah, air tanah, organisma dan tumbuhan pada tanah harus dipertimbangkan selepas penanaman spesimen anatomi telah dilakukan. Tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk mengkaji kesan sampingan formaldehid kepada tanah selepas penanaman spesimen anatomi. Dalam kajian ini, jumlah pengagihan unsur dalam tanah dan kepekatan formaldehid sebelum dan selepas penanaman spesimen telah ditentukan menggunakan Serakan Tenaga Pendarfluor Sinar-X (EDXRF) dan Sinar Ultra-ungu Boleh Nampak Spektrofotometer (UV-Vis). Dalam analisis EDXRF pada titik yang terdekat dengan penanaman (Titik C), didapati pengagihan unsur tanah selepas penanaman spesimen anatomi lebih tinggi berbanding sebelum penanaman. Kepekatanformaldehid pada Titik C juga lebih tinggi selepas penanaman spesimen anatomi berbanding sebelum penanaman, iaitu melebihi kepekatan yang dicadangkan oleh Organisasi Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO).

Kata kunci: Formaldehid; formalin; penanaman; tanah

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*Corresponding author; email: musfiroh@umk.edu.my