Friday 20 March 2026
Internal Reference Number: FOI_9118
Date Request Received: 22/12/2025 00:00:00
Date Request Replied To: 11/03/2026 00:00:00
This response was sent via: By Email
Request Summary: formaldehyde exposure in GI endoscopy
Request Category: Private Individuals
| Question Number 1: Under the Environmental Information Regulations (2004), please provide the following information with regards to employee formaldehyde exposure in the Trust’s gastrointestinal endoscopy suites. Documents to disclose: Please provide the formaldehyde exposure risk assessment that is currently used by the Trust’s gastrointestinal endoscopy team to fulfill employer obligations under COSHH regulations (2002) Section 6. Please provide all formaldehyde exposure monitoring data (both fixed static monitoring and personal badge monitoring, with personal details redacted as appropriate) relating to the Trust’s gastrointestinal endoscopy service encompassing the last 12 months that is used to fulfill employer obligations under COSHH regulations (2002) Section 10. It is noted that such records should be kept available for at least 5 years under COSHH regulations (2002) Section 10(5)(b). Questions: How often is regular scheduled formaldehyde exposure monitoring undertaken in the Trust’s gastrointestinal endoscopy suite? What is the total number of occasions formaldehyde regular scheduled exposure monitoring has been undertaken in the Trust’s gastrointestinal endoscopy suites over the last 12 months? | |
| Answer To Question 1: Please find attached the COSHH risk assessment for the use of 10% buffered formalin pots within Theatres. The assessment reflects the control measures recommended within the product Safety Data Sheet and is intended to minimise staff exposure during routine use. The assessment does not currently specify a requirement for air monitoring. We do not have any formaldehyde exposure monitoring data for the endoscopy service in the past 12 months as the assessment does not currently specify a requirement for air monitoring but we are reviewing this. To accompany this answer to question 1 please also see the documents listed below:  10% Neutral Buffered Formalin. (Endoscopy Exposure Scenario ID 329471).pdf 9118 COSHH Risk Assessment (Exposure Scenario ID 4180687).pdf | |
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