A recent investigation published by the British newspaper The Independent has brought renewed attention to an issue long known within the scientific community, yet still largely underestimated at an operational level: occupational exposure to formaldehyde in healthcare and laboratory settings, particularly within the UK National Health Service (NHS).
Formaldehyde, widely used as a fixative for the preservation of biological tissues, is classified as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Despite this, it continues to be extensively employed in pathology laboratories, mortuary services, and research facilities, exposing thousands of workers to significant and well-documented health risks.
The investigation highlights how the exposure limits permitted in the United Kingdom are considerably higher than those in force within the European Union, creating a situation of potential systemic risk. According to the data collected, formaldehyde levels in numerous NHS laboratories regularly exceed recommended safety thresholds, with direct consequences for the health of staff.
Particularly striking is the testimony of the investigation’s central figure, a former head of university mortuary services, who describes how years of continuous exposure to formaldehyde have irreversibly compromised his health. Chronic respiratory disorders, ocular problems, and an overall deterioration in quality of life ultimately forced him to leave his profession and live with a debilitating condition.
Experts interviewed as part of the investigation do not hesitate to describe formaldehyde as “the next asbestos”: a substance whose harmful impact was long downplayed, only to become fully apparent once the damage had become widespread and structural. This comparison is not merely symbolic, but underscores the urgent need for a profound shift in prevention policies and in the technological choices adopted by healthcare systems.
In light of this evidence, the continued routine use of formalin appears increasingly unjustifiable, particularly given that safer alternatives are now available. Further delaying the replacement of formaldehyde amounts to knowingly accepting an avoidable risk for thousands of healthcare professionals.
It is within this context that the work of Addax Biosciences takes place. For years, the company has invested in research and development to identify effective and safer fixatives capable of ensuring high scientific standards without exposing operators to highly toxic substances. The outcome of this long-term effort demonstrates that an alternative to formalin does exist and is already a viable, applicable solution.
Protecting the health of healthcare workers requires a timely and responsible response: the transition to non-toxic fixatives can no longer be postponed.