Re: 4% PFA/PBS

From:"J. A. Kiernan"

I was about to write a long answer to your
questions, but then saw one from Fred Monson
that said it all. All I can add is to emphasize
the point that there is no such thing as a
solution of paraformaldehyde. The fixative
agent is formaldehyde. There is plenty of
printed literature in textbooks and in 
peer-reviewed journals. If Fred's reply
does not adequately answer your question,
and if you don't have a nearby library, go to
the HistoNet Archives at www.histosearch.com
and you will find lots of good stuff about the
various names and states of formaldehyde. 
-- 
-------------------------
John A. Kiernan
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
The University of Western Ontario
London,   Canada   N6A 5C1
   kiernan@uwo.ca
   http://publish.uwo.ca/~jkiernan/
_______________________________________
"Atoska S. Gentry" wrote:
> 
> Dear All, will someone please provide me information on the shelf life of
> 4%PFA/PBS?  I have a few liters of this unused fixative left over from
> various experiments.  And I'm wondering if it can be used for routine
> fixation or if I should just treat it for waste disposal?  A couple of
> years ago I heard by word of mouth that after a certain period of time the
> PFA reverts back to  regular formaldehyde.  Does anyone have a reference
> you can recommend whereby I can get my questions answered?  On the other
> hand if you know for a fact that it can be used as  either formaldehyde or
> 10% formalin please will you share this info with me?  If it can be used
> does it need to be stored at 4C?  Thanks, Atoska
> 
> Atoska S. Gentry B.S., HT(ASCP)
> Research Assistant III
> Scott-Ritchey Research Center
> College of Veterinary Medicine
> Auburn University, AL  36849
> Phone# (334)844-5579  Fax# (334)844-5850
______________________________________




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