An Auckland pathology laboratory has lost its accreditation for examining tissue samples because levels of a toxic gas got so high staff had to be evacuated almost daily. AdvertisementAccording to the Worksafe New Zealand website formaldehyde's short term health effects included irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. He said lab results affected 70 per cent of the clinical decisions in a hospital and the accreditation suspension was putting pressure on the laboratory staff to continue to produce results in a timely fashion. An Auckland District Health Board spokeswoman said the organisation shared the IANZ concerns because health and safety was a priority. The spokeswoman said the suspension only affected externally contracted work, about 15 per cent of what the lab did.

Source: New Zealand Herald June 22, 2017 06:01 UTC