Hello Andrea,

I think I'll offer a counterpoint to dumping the chemical. Test it to see  
if it's still good. If you do not have access to a lab (or curious  
chemistry classroom) nearby that can perform the test, there are kits  
available to do such analysis. For example, I did a quick Google search  
and found this:

http://omnicontrols.com/lists/Hanna_Chem_color_titratTestKit.html#FORMALDEHYDE%20TEST%20KIT

Granted, their test only has a range up to 10% and not 37%... but I didn't  
search for very long. I don't know this company from Adam but many  
companies offer such titration kits.

If the solution is still tightly sealed and there is no precipitate in the  
bottle, there is not much reason to send it to some hazardous waste site;  
afterall, it's still just a noxious chemical with its properties intact.  
If the organic content or buffer is unable to escape from its container,  
and the container is inert (glass would be) then the solution should  
maintain its viability. Also, you might even consider using any unused  
titration tests on your "good" stuff just to confirm... sort of a quality  
control confirmation that a) you are doing the test properly and b) the  
good stuff isn't just foul-smelling water. :)

Fundamentally, I dislike wasting such chemicals particularly when the  
typically overlooked expense of handling and disposal is incorporated.  
Certainly I'd confirm its quality before using it on critical tissue, but  
I'd still test it before dumping such a generous amount. If you still opt  
to dump it, maybe you could call some research laboratory or other  
university (not Arizona) that could put it to use first? Of course, I'm  
ignoring any legalities and expense of such a transfer so this may be a  
moot point.

At any rate, just plunking down another $0.02.

Todd Sherman
HistoSoft Corporation

-- 
>>>>>>>>    www.histosoft.com    <<<<<<<<<
<<<<<<<< Biology In A New Form (c) >>>>>>>


On Thu, 12 May 2005 12:00:15 -0500,  
 wrote:

>
> Today's Topics:
>
>   15. quick question about formaldehyde (Andrea Grantham)
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 15
> Date: Thu, 12 May 2005 09:10:04 -0700
> From: Andrea Grantham 
> Subject: [Histonet] quick question about formaldehyde
> To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Message-ID:
> 	<4.3.2.7.2.20050512090428.024f4918@algranth.inbox.email.arizona.edu>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
>
> One of the labs here is closing and they have a case of formaldehyde,
> 37.5%, that they are trying to give away. They have had it in their lab
> since 1993. The bottles have not been opened. Is it still good to use?
> Andi
> .....................................................................
> : Andrea Grantham, HT(ASCP)     Dept. of Cell Biology & Anatomy     :
> : Sr. Research Specialist       University of Arizona               :
> : (office:  AHSC 4212)          P.O. Box 245044                     :
> : (voice:  520-626-4415)        Tucson, AZ  85724-5044    USA       :
> : (FAX:  520-626-2097)          (email:  algranth@u.arizona.edu)    :
> :...................................................................:
>            http://www.cba.arizona.edu/histology-lab.html
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------


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