The effect of disposal formalin fixed specimen by burial on earthworm

ABSTRACT
Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) Kubang Kerian have been burying preserved-organ around October, 2018 in Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu, Kelantan instead of fusing incineration. The process of incineration is not a proper way to dispose especially for Muslims because of contradictory in ethics and religion. Therefore, disposal of formalin-fixed specimen by burial is introduced. A study was conducted to identify the impact of formalin towards earthworm and to determine the concentration of formalin intake by earthworm. To achieve that, observation was done in field site which located at cemeteries in Kampung Darat Dermit, Kota Bharu and designed site where controlled experiment was conducted. However, the earthworms in field site could not be found. Thus, only earthworms in designed site was observed. When the formalin had contacted with the earthworms, they expulse to the surface. The life spend of earthworm depend on the concentration of formalin and duration of time they have been exposed to. The chromatic acid method had been used to determine the concentration of formalin intake in each earthworms. From the result, it show that formalin exposure has bad impact towards earthworms.