As my last words on the subject, I would like to say that I wasn't criticising the processing of tissues with Xylene, I'm not sure that it was ever an issue. I merely said that I was concerned that individuals were coverslipping without gloves using Xylene. If as has also been stated that Xylene penetrates Nitrile Gloves, then surely it must enter the skin. Xylene has a warning on the bottle, Harmful by inhalation and in contact with skin.I think that speaks for itself.
I don't consider myself paranoid because I put my own health and safety and that of my staff first. (nor do the staff)  
There are a number of Xylene substitutes available, the best one I have across which we use (and no, it doesn't smell of oranges) is Safeclear. Some people may think it's not as as good as Xylene for processing (we're OK with it) but as far as we know it is a lot safer.
Using Xylene, we used to suffer from tiredness, headaches and prior to mounting with nitrile gloves severe dryness of the skin. We have the same fume extraction with Safeclear but none of the previous symptoms.
I still thought we were in a friendly discussion, how can showing concerns for other peoples welfare be unfriendly?.
Susan Hacker,
IAH,
Compton.