Patricia:

We have a similar mold problem and don't have a solution.  We have 40 years
of blocks in storage and our block storage 'management' plan is
non-existent.  I take care of and document my own blocks out of a sense of
self-preservation.  I also keep them as far away from the moldy-oldies as I
can.

In my experience, the Tissue-tek boxes (and similar tray-type systems) are
more space efficient than any other storage method.  I recently consolidated
6 'liquor boxes' (cardboard boxes designed to hold 12 fifths of spirits) of
both loose and bagged blocks into 4 Tissue-tek boxes, which take up less
shelf space than the liquor boxes did.  The blocks also won't get torn up
from cassette and ring edges digging into the block faces.

It is nearly impossible for us to locate any of our blocks over 10 years
old, even though they are sorted, precisely because they are stored in bulk
in cardboard boxes.

Hope this helps.....

Regards -
Carol
*****************
Carol B. McCollough, HT(ASCP)
Diagnostics & Histology Laboratory Manager
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Fisheries Service
Cooperative Oxford Laboratory
904 S. Morris Street
Oxford, MD 21654


-----Original Message-----
From: Patricia Karlisch [mailto:PKARLISCH@PSGHS.EDU]
Sent: Thursday, June 01, 2000 5:00 PM
To: Histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: Moldy Blocks


Histonetters,
Do any of you have the following problem.  We store our blocks off campus in
an old schoolhouse.  The basement of this building has been deteriorating
over the years and moisture has gotten into the area.  Some of the blocks
stored closest to the floor have been eaten away by mold.  Others have mold
only along the surface of the block and can be cut away to expose tissue.
  What would the best method of cleaning off these blocks?  We are
transferring them to an air controlled room and do not want to bring the
mold with us. Many of the blocks are quite old (over 20-30 years) but our
pathologists do not want them to be thrown out.
  Also, for those of you who also must keep blocks forever, do you have a
method of filing that would save space?  I am considering emptying drawers
into plastic bags (labeled) and storing them in boxes and only keeping the
last 15 years in the file drawers.
Thank you in advance,
Pat Karlisch
Geisinger Medical Center