It is true that few plant or animal toxins are uses in histology labs.
Cottonmouth mocassin venom is used to prepare the substrate for
demonstrating phospholipase B. Fluoroescent-labelled banded krait (the "dust
snake" in RIKKI-TIKKI-TAVI) is used to demonstrate nicotinic acetylcholine
receptors.  Ouabain (from an African tree) is used as a control in
demonstrating sodium/potassium ATPase.
   Nevertheless, many things in a histology labe are toxic.  Since MSDS's
tell you that everything (including table sugar) is toxic, it is hard find
the real toxicity data in them.  (Hint: it is usually buried 2/3 of the way
down the second page as LD50 (how much has a 50% chance of killing you) or
TWA (the maximum concentration you can safely have in the air around you)=2E  
Often the MSDS wont't give you either piece of information. 
   I look up the toxicity of dyes in Dapson's HAZARDOUS MATERIALS IN THE
HISTOPATHOLOGY LABORATORY.  I look up the toxicity of everything else in
Lewis's HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS DESK REFERENCE.  The former is an indispensible
reference; the latter is very nice to have.

Allen A. Smith, Ph.D.
Professor of Anatomy
Barry University School of Graduate Medical Sciences
    Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
Miami Shores, Florida  33161


-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces@lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Angela
Bitting
Sent: Monday, March 06, 2006 4:08 PM
To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Reproductive Toxins

Does anyone know how to tell if something in the Histo lab is a reproductive
toxin or acute toxin? Some of the MSDS sheets are no help at all. Anyone
else having this problem?

Angela Bitting, HT(ASCP)
Technical Specialist, Histology
Geisinger Medical Center 
100 N Academy Ave. MC 23-00
Danville, PA 17822
phone  570-214-9634
fax  570-271-5916



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