If it is true that nitrile gloves let through xylene after a few minutes, the whole argument is in tatters. It has amused me somewhat. Of course, both sides are right - it's all a matter of relativity - sorta safe and kinda risky:-)

Dr Terry L Marshall, B.A.(Law), M.B.,Ch.B.,F.R.C.Path
 Consultant Pathologist
 Rotherham General Hospital
 South Yorkshire
 England
        terry.marshall@rothgen.nhs.uk

-----Original Message-----
From: John Auld [mailto:John.Auld@whnt.nhs.uk]
Sent: 23 April 2003 09:13
To: HistoNet Server
Subject: Re: Coverslipping and gloves



It's suddenly got a bit heated, anyway without taking sides. I recollect
being told at a safety seminar, sorry no references etc, that although
nitrile gloves do not dissolve in xylene they are NOT resistant. The
presenter said nitrile allowed xylene to penetrate after a very few
minutes, forget the exact figure but it's no more than one or two. The only
safe way IMHO is to use an automated coverslipper.

Regards

John

John Auld FIBMS MSc
Dept of Histopathology and Clinical Cytology
Arrowe Park Hospital
Arrowe Park Road
Upton
Wirral
UK