Apologies for the cross post to US and UK.

This would seem to be a very poorly understood (and undervalued) area of
medical knowledge.

It is important to exclude any treatable cause for the symptoms such as
intra-cranial lesions and local lesions such as nasal polyps.  Referral to
Otorhinolaryngology and/or neurologist is sensible. [[log in to unmask]] and
[[log in to unmask]]and[[log in to unmask]]

Dr Thomas Dydek did a search on Toxline and came up with four abstracts
(1982-1995) on Anosmia.  Nothing specific for formaldehyde in these
abstracts, but one mentioned germicides (Schiffman and Nagle, Otolaryngology
Head and Neck Surgery 106(6):693-700, 1992).Dr. Thomas M. Dydek
[[log in to unmask]]

Elaine Zibrowski suggested a book called "Toxicology of the Nasal
Passages"edited by Amoore.
She thinks it has a chapter on chemical exposure.  She says chemosensory
dysfunction in relation to occupational solvent exposure is one of her areas
of interest.  Unfortunately, there is not a lot of data out there so you
may be hard pressed for some references.  Smell and taste are generally
undervalued aspects of human health. [[log in to unmask]]

Stan Haimes has had cases of Anosmia as well, but these have all been from
organic
solvent exposure, especially xylene.  He recalls, xylene is also used in
the processing of histology specimens.  It may be appropriate to evaluate
the local exhaust from any organic solvents used in this process, confirming
with a smoke tube that there is capture from the work area into the local
exhaust.  You may even do some area monitoring of the bench area closest to
where the technician would work to confirm that exposure levels are
appropriate. You should also check the stock room, where the working
containers on the
automated histology machine (or dip tanks) are refilled. His observation is
that all cases of Anosmia have spontaneously resolved, but some took six
months to do so.  These cases always were from a significant acute
overexposure (like wiping down a large area over a few hours by hand
with no respiratory protection).  So you may wish to see if there was a
history of acute exposure from a spill, even if it was in an adjacent work
area where someone else had responsibility for the remediation.
[[log in to unmask]]

The best overall resource came from RUPERT HALL-SMITH
[[log in to unmask]]by reference to his website
www.helpdoctor.co.uk  This has a link to the Osme Fellowship - a self help
group.  http://www.osme.co.uk  This has further links to a variety of other
sites, including a specialist clinic in the US
http://www-surgery.ucsd.edu/ent/davidson/NDC.htm

Anyone looking for a research project out there - this looks like a good
one.



Dr. Geoff Helliwell MB ChB CIH FFOM MIOSH
Medical Director
WellWork Ltd. UK