Seems strange. That is a common EM fixative and I've never heard of any
regulatory problems with it. Even a common hospital disinfectant uses it as
the active ingredient!

You can use Carson-Millong buffered formalin for EM (works fine for kidney
and tumor cases). Last I used it I got it through Baxter/Lerner in 5 gallon
carboys.

Tim Morken


-----Original Message-----
From: Nocito, Joseph [mailto:joseph_nocito@srhc.iwhs.org]
Sent: Friday, May 25, 2001 10:33 AM
To: 'Histonet'
Subject: Gluteraldehyde


We are currently going through a JCAHO inspection (what a year, CAP, CLIA
and now JCAHO, any one else out there?) Any way, the inspectors went through
the roof when they saw that we have gluteraldehyde.  Now, the hospital
Safety board is in an up roar.  Why is gluteraldehyde such a dirty word.  I
know the general hazards, but is there something new that I might have
missed?  Also, my pathologist wants to know if there is a substitute
fixative for electron microscopy.  Once again, I thank you for your help.

Joe Nocito, B.S., HT(ASCP)QIHC
Histology Supervisor
Christus Santa Rosa Hospitals
San Antonio, Texas