I have done this stain only once since I started working here and I used it
on the counter top (with nitrile gloves and a good lab coat). HOWEVER, my
lab has a high volume of air exchange and fume hoods over my processor and
autostainer.  If I were to ever do this stain again in the future, I would
do it in my fume hood where all the other nasties go.  I would dispose of
it in its own container, properly labeled, for the sake of the people who
come to dispose of it.  

Talk about the "old days" and "Old Histologists"  ....  I remember doing
this stain many times as a young trainee.  No gloves, no fume hoods and
everthing went down the drain.  eeeeek! 

Connie McManus (My body feels like a toxic waste dump *g*)


At 03:18 PM 5/29/01 -0400, Jon Kerr wrote:
>Hello friends:
>
>I am preparing an iron stain via Mallory's Iron stain method, which is
basically similar to the Perl's Prussian blue for ferric iron.  Both stains
require ferrocyanide to be mixed with a small percentage of hydrochloric
acid--a mixture which brings about a toxic reaction liberating hydrogen
cyaonide, nitrogen oxides and others. . . Have you guys just mixed this
under the hood and done all of your work there, and then, how do you
dispose of this beautiful mixture of black death? 
>Thanks for your help,
>Jon Kerr
>Chief histologist,
>Reference Pathology Services,
>Sandy, Utah
>"Liberty is the only thing you cannot have unless you 
>   are willing to give it to others." 
>   -William Allen White 
>
>
>
Connie McManus
Veterinary Diagnostics Lab
Utah State University
Logan, UT
USA