Daily Staff Writer

About 60 students at the College of Veterinary Medicine got some free time Wednesday when a laboratory class was canceled because formaldehyde concentration was above a “precautionary level” in a laboratory, said Eldon Uhlenhopp, associate dean of academic and student affairs.

Uhlenhopp said the Department of Environmental Health and Safety monitors the formaldehyde concentration of a veterinary anatomy lab at all times. He said the concentration level depends on the ventilation system at that time. The department contacted Vet Med Wednesday afternoon to say the level was too high.

Uhlenhopp said they canceled one lab period as a “precautionary” method to protect the students.

Formaldehyde evaporates from fixed tissues of animals the students dissect, Uhlenhopp said.