Ian, I have worked in various hospital and lab settings over the past 15 years, and not one of all of those pathologists I worked with would ever even consider a formalin substitute, safety concerns notwithstanding. And as in addition with xylene substitutes, all of the people I knew that worked with them, had to also keep a supply of the "real" stuff on hand anyway so what's the use?RS RMC Denver --- Original Message -----

From: clarke.ian@virgin.net
To: histonet <histonet@pathology.swmed.edu>
Subject: Re - formaldehyde substitutes
Date: Fri, 23 Jun 2000 19:11:58 +0100

Dear Histonetters, 
                                I have a query regarding the formaldehyde 
substitutes ,Prefer,Preserve and glyco fixx .We are in the process of trying 
out these alternatives and have been told by a Rep, that we would require 
formaldehyde to store tissue samples .As we are wanting to eliminate the use 
of formaldehyde in our laboratory is this the case?Does anyone out there 
utilise these fixatives routinely and do you store your tissue in these 
products .I know we could use 70% alcohol as a storage medium but this may 
cause a fire risk. 
 
Thanking you in advance 
 
Ian Clarke 
Histopathology/Cytopathology Department 
Craigavon Area hospital NHS Trust 
UK