Re: fume hoods

From:Cliff Berger

I ran a company for many years that built portable fume hoods similar to the
one you are using.  Activated charcoal filter work very will is adsorbing
Xylene and Alcohol.  Specially treated activated charcoal can also adsorb
formaldehyde and most acid fumes.  So most histology labs can remain free of
odors and most histology lab personnel can feel protected by these hoods.
Filters do need to be replaced on a regular basis, otherwise there is no
odor control and no protection.  Ventilation to the outside may be tricky.
Most laboratory / hospital ventilation systems are very complex.  Unless
you go directly to the roof, your fumes may end up in another room on
another floor.  In many communities, there are restrictions about blowing
fumes outside and you may be required to filter the air being exhausted...
Unless  you have complaints of odors, you really should not need to
ventilate to the outside.  Just check to see that your blowers are working
properly and that you are changing filters on a regular schedule.


-- 
Best regards,

Cliff Berger
1-800-428-5856
www.decal-bone.com


> From: Elizabeth Earle 
> Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2003 06:03:19 -0700
> To: "'Histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'" 
> Subject: fume hoods
> 
> OK, Histonet, next question. For years we have been using charcoal filter
> fume hoods (the portable ones with the plexiglass or acrylic shrouds) in our
> lab, with absolutely no problem.We have always been way below the limits on
> our breathing zone testing. Now an engineer is telling me we will need
> built-in hoods that exhaust to the outside. I just don't see that it's
> necessary in a histology lab where most of the equipment now has fume
> control built into the system. The only place we will really need it is in
> the area where we change out our processor and stainer fluids. Anybody's
> opinions would be appreciated.
> 
> 
> 




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