Well, I worked for many years in a lab
that used Histo-clear (citrus-based) exclusively and we had no problems with
anything, including immunos. So I can't help you in "heading them off at the
pass."
On the other hand, I can't see using
xylene as a bad thing as long as proper safety precautions are taken. One good
one is to use an automated coverslipper so that xylene exposure to skin is
greatly limited. Since the critical exposure levels to xylene vapors are quite
high, that is not usually a problem. Is there some reason xylene is being
phased out?
Of course finding a xylene substitute that
is acceptable to everyone in the lab is very tough. It seems there is a
problem with all of them in some way, either some can't stand the odor of one
or another, or there are sensitivity issues that rival xylene. Good
luck!
Tim Morken
Atlanta
Good morning everyone. Our safety committee is all set to switch us to
a xylene substitute. In order to head them off at the pass, I'd like any
info you kind people can provide concerning the impact xylene sub's would
have on IPX as well as on routine tissue preparation; processing, staining,
special stains, well you know, the whole nine yards!
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this email....
Gratefully,
Noreen
Noreen Gilman, B.S., H.T.(ASCP) CLS
Histopathology
Supervisor
Broward General Medical Center
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
33316
954.355.5592 Phone
954.355.4139 Fax
954-387-0213
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