IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 15, Issue 8 Ver. II (August. 2016), PP 71-79 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0853-1508027179 www.iosrjournals.org 71 | Page Morphological and Histological Changes in Lungs and Thyroid Gland Due to Exposure of Formalin in Albino Rats Dr Jayant Kumar Verma 1 , Nand Kishor Gupta 2 , Dr N. N. Srivastav 3 , Dr Adil Asghar 4 , Associate Professor 1 , Lecturer 2 , Professor 3 , Assistant Professor 4, Department of Anatomy, UP Rural Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (UPUMS), Saifai, Etawah UP-206130. . Abstract: formalin is used as disinfectant for preservation of museum specimens, preservation of surgical and pathology specimens, as a fumigating agent in operation theatres, for preservation of cadavers in anatomy department, in plastic industries, in dyeing and hardening of celluloid. Formalin has many side effects because of which the importance of this study increases many times. The person working in the atmosphere of fumes of formalin may have respiratory irritation and have rhinorhoea and discharge of water from eye on direct exposure. The present study is based on universal use of formalin in various industries including the various departments of medical sciences. The aim of study is to observe changes in Lungs and Thyroid gland in albino rats due to inhalation exposure of formalin fumes. In this study, 100 albino rats were taken and divided into 4 groups A, B, C and D. the group D is retain as control group and the remaining 3 groups were subdivided into subgroups. Except D group rats, all other rats were exposed with Formalin for different time intervals and changes were observed, recorded and discussed in relevant headings. Keywords: formalin, formaldehyde inhalation, rat lungs I. Introduction Formalin is 40% aqueous solution of FORMALDEHYDE which is a colorless gas having a strong, pungent and irritating odour. It gives off vapor at room temperature. The vapors are highly pungent, respiratory irritant and produces rhinorhoea and discharge of water from eye on direct exposure. There are irritation of eyes and air passages on direct exposure. If it is swallowed it produces burning pain from mouth to stomach, nausea, vomiting, contracted pupils and flushing of face. Lethal oral dose of formalin is 30-90 ml and fatal period ranges from 1-2 days. Patient died due to formalin intake. On autopsy, shows that gastric mucosa is red, inflammed and eroded with extravasations of blood or it may be hard and tough like leather. The intestines and lungs are congested. Liver may show fatty degeneration and kidneys may be inflammed. The present study is based on fact that the formalin is being used universally in various field. Person working in rubber industries, dyeing, all laboratory workers, all medical students, teachers and staff working in Anatomy and Pathology department remain exposed to hazardous and deleterious effect of formalin. The aim of present study is to observe changes in lungs as well as thyroid gland due to inhalation exposure of formalin fumes. II. Material And Method In present study, 100 Albino rats have been used. Average weights of them were ranging from 100-160 gms. They were divided into 4 groups, namely A, B, C and D. The group D was retained as control. The groups A B and C were subdivided further into two subgroups as follows. In present study, sex was not considered during observation.