The Government acknowledges that continued exposure to the carcinogen formaldehyde can lead to a sore throat, rhinitis, nasal irritation, bronchospasm, and breathlessness – and in severe cases can cause acute respiratory distress and is associated with leukaemia.

Yet many doctors, such as histopathologists, continue to spend their working days exposed to it.

Doctors for pressing for this dangerous exposure, and others, to be brought to an end after voting in favour of a motion calling for stricter protections for those working in areas using dangerous chemicals.

Psychiatry trainee Matt Bilton (pictured above on screen), who tabled the motion, explained how a histopathologist colleague has been repeatedly exposed to formaldehyde for hours on end, day after day while dissecting specimens.

‘He’s able to smell it despite down-draft ventilation meant to protect him,’ said Dr Bilton. ‘I’m sure some colleagues will recognise this. And there is often an assumption that there are safeguards in place.’

But responses to over a hundred of freedom of information requests by the histopathologist in question revealed that most NHS departments only check ‘ambient levels’, and this is often only weekly, or even less often.

UK limits on formaldehyde levels are also six times higher than the EU limits, the conference was told.

‘Exposure limits are weak, and monitoring inadequate,’ said Dr Bilton, who noted that despite repeated attempts to raise the alarm with employers, as well as politicians, plus a peer-reviewed BMJ article, that the histopathologist has only been told that putting in place stricter protections would be ‘too expensive’ and that ‘this is how it has always been’.

But Dr Bilton argued: ‘Where the science changes, our standards must change with it. Employers have a responsibility to act. Ignoring colleagues’ health is not acceptable.’

He said that every doctor should have the right ‘to go to work knowing that their workplace is safe’.

‘Safety measures must be evidence-based and precautionary,’ he added. ‘Employers must demonstrate that risks are properly controlled, not simply offer reassurance, and when safety can’t be demonstrated doctors should be supported to remove themselves from exposure without detriment to pay, training, rota standing or career progression.’

While using the example of formaldehyde, Dr Bilton said safety measures must be implemented for all potentially hazardous environments, such as exposure to cytotoxics or radiation, infection risk or anything else. ‘The principle is the same,’ he insisted.

The motion calls for the BMA to affirm that no doctor should be exposed to hazardous substances while at work, and support members to demand immediate action when hazardous environments are identified and the employer does not act.

It also urges the association to defend doctors, including whistleblowers, who raise concerns, campaign for routine monitoring of hazardous chemicals and campaign for safe, evidence-based limits.

The BMA representative body strongly agreed, voting overwhelmingly in favour of supporting the motion with no speakers against.