Overview
- A peer‑reviewed analysis published in June 2026 used Freedom of Information responses from 122 NHS trusts and found about 70% of pathology sites recorded airborne formaldehyde above the EU eight‑hour limit of 0.3 ppm.
- The authors obtained full 12‑month monitoring records from 104 trusts covering 117 pathology labs and more than 1.7 million monitoring events, which formed the basis of their exposure analysis.
- Monitoring was often infrequent, with nearly three in four sites measuring formaldehyde once a week or less and some only quarterly or annually, reducing the ability to detect and control hazardous exposures.
- The UK retains a much higher statutory eight‑hour limit of 2 ppm set by the HSE, and while most sites did not regularly exceed that level, about 30% recorded at least one reading above 2 ppm in the prior year.
- Experts and the paper’s linked editorial urged prompt national action including updated guidance, routine personal exposure monitoring, engineering controls such as downdraft benches, better PPE and HSE oversight, while noting gaps in measurement methods that need standardisation.