RE: Frequency of Xylene monitors

From:"LaFriniere, Mike"

CAP ANP.24150 states : ' ARE FORMALDEHYDE AND XYLENE VAPOR CONCENTRATIONS
MAINTAINED BELOW THE FOLLOWING MAXIMA EXPRESSED AS PARTS PER
MILLION....ETC...

In addition many states require monitoring that are more strict than CAP
requirements. As a inspector for CAP I would expect a laboratory to at least
monitor the xylene levels over a peroid of time, it may be anywhere in a
five year period, or when a major procedure change in the laboratory.
Mainily to include monitoring when a production or construction change has
taken place. The question Susan proposed was if every three months was
appropriate. Every three months is excessive, however, Susan needs to check
her State requirements. I have not known a State to require any more than
once a year.I would not give an opinion of less than yearly unless I knew
her individual state requirements.

It is the managers/Supervisors responsible to prove that the xlene vapor
concentrations are "maintained" below the maxima on CAP inspection. A one
time monitor in a five year time span would be unacceptable to me and on
CAP inspection I would recommend the laboratory have an additional monitor
performed.

Regards..

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

-----Original Message-----
From: Charles.Embrey [mailto:Charles.Embrey@carle.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2003 11:40 AM
To: 'LaFriniere, Mike'; 'Walzer Susan'; 'Satterfield, Marirose';
'histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'
Subject: RE: Frequency of Xylene monitors


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



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