No where in CAP does it say that you have to repeat xylene monitoring after
a procedure change.  Only formaldehyde levels need to be rechecked after  a
"change in production, equipment, process, personnel or control measures
which may result in new or additional exposure...".  If we are talking
specifically about what CAP REQUIRES.  Once a year is not required and in my
opinion a waste of funds.
Charles R. Embrey Jr. PA(AAPA), HT(ASCP)
Histology Manager
Carle Clinic, Urbana Illinois  

-----Original Message-----
From: LaFriniere, Mike [mailto:Mike_LaFriniere@memorial.org]
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2003 10:33 AM
To: 'Walzer Susan'; 'Satterfield, Marirose';
'histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'
Subject: RE: Frequency of Xylene monitors


Susan,

Once a year is adequate for monitoring xylene and unless you change a
procedure or have a high reading, then you must monitor following the
procedure change, i.e., staining or processing in a new room with open
xylene, or continue monitoring if you have a high reading until you find the
reason for the high reading, FYI, if you have a high reading of xylene fumes
then you would have a major problem do to the fact the (US) OSHA acceptable
guidelines for xylene fumes are extremely high, ( I think currently they are
in the range of 50-100 ppm).

Regards...

Michael LaFriniere,PA,HT(ASCP)
Pathology Manager
Memorial Hospital
Chattanooga TN
423-495-6117

-----Original Message-----
From: Walzer Susan [mailto:Susan.Walzer@HCAHealthcare.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2003 10:54 AM
To: 'Satterfield, Marirose'; 'histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'
Subject: RE: Frequency of Xylene monitors


We do it once a year, have never had a high  reading.

-----Original Message-----
From: Satterfield, Marirose
[mailto:marirose.satterfield@MercyMemorial.org]
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2003 9:54 AM
To: 'histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'
Subject: Frequency of Xylene monitors


Does anyone know if there is a CAP recommendation on how frequent you should
monitor for Xylene. Currently we do it every 3 months and would like to do
it less if we could.
Thanks
Mari