Re: paraffin block storage temperature

<< Previous Message | Next Message >>
From:Vinnie Della Speranza <vdella@path.som.sunysb.edu>
To:Carol McCollough <cmccollough@dnr.state.md.us>
Reply-To:
Date:Mon, 08 Mar 1999 18:44:57 -0500
Content-Type:

Carol,

the temperatures you sight are very difficult to achieve indoors, 
even in an unheated building. If it were zero degrees outside, it 
would not be zero indoors unless this outdoor temperature was 
maintained for a very prolonged period of time. Do you have periods 
of zero degrees in Maryland for a week or more at a time? There goes 
my fantasy of moving south :) this is simply because building 
materials have insulating effects that will prevent the indoor 
temperature from completely matching the outdoors. I have an unheated 
garage here in New York. Temperatures are commonly 10-15 degrees 
above exterior temps. Also keep in mind that wind chill temps will 
not affect items stored indoors, simply because wind cannot penetrate 
the structure of the storage facility.

Second, it is unlikely that the temps you cite would have any 
negative effect on paraffin blocks. We typically ice them and I've 
even known techs who placed them in a freezer prior to sectioning.

when I saw your subject header I thought you were inquiring about 
high temperatures, which is a greater problem for most of us when it 
comes to block storage.

I got the chills just thinking about those Maryland winters. Brrr.
******************************************************************
Vinnie Della Speranza 
Technical Director
Anatomic Pathology Laboratories
University Hospital & Medical Center
State University of New York at Stony Brook 11794-7025
(516) 444-8249
fax: (516) 444-3419
vdella@path.som.sunysb.edu






<< Previous Message | Next Message >>