Hi Todd,
                we poutinely seal the surface of paraffin blocks by just
melting the surface on the embedding center hotplate. Dipping the surface in
paraffin wax will not necessarily cause a bond with  the cut surface of the
block and in many instances the dipped wax layer may separate and then you
are back to square one.
Sealing the surface, if done as a routine, is rapid and is good practice if
you plan to keep blocks for any length of time. An  exposed (unsealed) cut
surface can dry, absorb water and dust or be invaded by fungi (and I suspect
also by the pervasive IRS).
Barry

TODD LUA wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I would like to find out who out there is dipping the face of there
> paraffin blocks before storage.  If anyone has some pro's and con's about
> this practice and if it is really necessary to preserve the block in any
> way.  Thank you in advance for your comments.
>
> Todd
>
> *******************************
> Todd B. Lua, HT., (A.S.C.P.)
> Histology Laboratory Supervisor
> Sierra Biomedical, inc
> 587 Dunn Circle
> Sparks, NV 89431
> Tel: 775.331.2201 ext.156
> Fax: 775.331.2289
> e-mail: tlua@sierrabiomedical.com
> *******************************
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