The probe by The Independent and Channel 4 News found lab working NHS staff have been exposed to dangerously high levels of formaldehyde.

Pathologist, Dr Richard Yates, told The Independent: ‘People have been saying over the last 25 or 30 years that formaldehyde is the next asbestos, so it's not really a new position, and I think that we need to take it as seriously.'

The legal limit for formaldehyde exposure set by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is seven times higher than the EU and above the safety level of the US.

A recent NHS Resolution report revealed 371 claims for harm caused by exposure to substances hazardous between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2023 at a cost of almost £6m. 

An NHS Resolution spokesperson said: ‘NHS Resolution is sharing the illustrative experiences of those involved to help disseminate learning and prevent similar events happening to patients, families, and staff in the future. Each case needs to be considered on its own merit – our recommendations are potential mitigations and should not be considered as a replacement for internal organisational risk assessments, and relevant HSE guidance. The case stories do not provide an exhaustive list of causes or recommendations.'

An HSE spokesperson said: ‘Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, employers have a legal duty to assess risks from hazardous substances and implement adequate control measures. As formaldehyde is a carcinogen, exposure must be reduced to as low a level as is reasonably practicable.

‘As the legal requirement is already to reduce exposure to the lowest reasonably practicable level, there would be no health risk benefit to be gained by lowering the current workplace exposure limit.'

A Government spokesperson said: ‘NHS trusts are responsible for ensuring safe working environments for all staff and where concerns are raised, we expect the Health and Safety Executive to take swift action.

‘This Government inherited a crumbling NHS estate which had been starved of investment but are turning this around through a record £30bn for day-to-day maintenance and repairs - with over £5bn allocated specifically to address the most critical cases.'

UKHSA guidance on formaldehyde exposure can be found here.

The regulatory framework on working with formaldehyde can be found here.