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health19h ago
Hidden scandal of NHS staff exposed to cancer-causing chemical deemed ‘next asbestos’
- Fresh probe finds NHS and university labs exposed workers to formaldehyde, a cancer-linked chemical, prompting safety concerns.
- UK limits on workplace formaldehyde exposure are higher than EU limits, raising regulatory concerns.
- Robert Mifflin, former Oxford University mortuary services head, retired after exposure and now relies on a walker frame.
- NHS Lanarkshire staff described jars of formalin in labs and insufficient ventilation contributing to exposure.
- Channel 4 News reports NHS staff receiving settlements after formaldehyde exposure linked to duty-of-care failures.
- US EPA and EU regulators have also treated formaldehyde as a health risk, signaling international concern.
- Safety authorities say employers must continuously assess risks and reduce exposure to the lowest level practicable.
- A pregnant NHS worker in London claimed managers refused PPE and downplayed risks to her unborn baby.
- The investigations involve multiple stakeholders across healthcare and education sectors amid debates over investment and safety.
- Regulators say employers must assess risks and control exposures, while legal actions highlight gaps in monitoring.
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