A technique for breaking down formaldehyde before disposal has been developed by Brazilian scientist Sônia Borges de Oliveira, professor at the University of São Paulo in Ribeirão Preto. Formaldehyde is a chemical product used in laboratories and hospitals to preserve tissue, organs and body parts, but it can harm the environment and cause cancer.

“It is a strong substance, capable of killing any biological system,” warned Oliveira.

She came up with the idea of “a structure with 10 reactors, that receives the formaldehyde diluted in water and stores it in a tank. Then an automatic pump system carries the liquid to each reactor. Different types of microorganisms in each reactor work to degrade” the formaldehyde.

“The final result is a liquid with 70 percent less formaldehyde,” the professor told Tierramérica.