I think a lot of people have a misconception concerning xylene substitutes
as a safer alternative.  Before ordering any substitute, I would suggest
ordering an MSDS to help in the evaluation.

The MSDS should have an EPA number on it.  To get cost for disposing, call
the waste hauler you are using with the EPA  number and see how much money
you would actually save, if any, for disposing.

Rande Kline HT (ASCP)






denisew2@juno.com on 05/26/99 05:29:26 AM

To:   lpwenk@netquest.com
cc:   peptolab@hamptons.com, jvillalona@snet.net,
      histonet@Pathology.swmed.edu
Subject:  Re: Xylene Substitute




Bravo about the distinction on this GRAS designation.  I would like to
add however that the newer MSDS for Americlear specifically indicate that
the product is a RCRA Hazardous Waste after its use and it can not be
dumped down the sink. It should be handled exactly like xylene, benzene,
etc... Sorry to burst your bubble.
dlongwoodward@bics.bwh.harvard.edu


On Thu, 20 May 1999 05:48:20 -0400 lpwenk@netquest.com (Wenk, Lee &
Peggy) writes:
>Concerning the statements on Limonene:
>
>1. The GRAS (generally regarded as safe) status mentioned in the
>email - this is from the FDA (Federal Drug Administration), not OSHA.
>
>The FDA regulates drugs and food additives. Limonene has been
>approved by the FDA for use in very small amounts as a food
>additive to give the food an orange-y, citrus-y smell and flavor.
>Limonene is therefore GRAS when used in such small quantities
>when used as a food additive (a few drops in a large batch of
>candy for example).
>
>The FDA does NOT regulate, extend or state that Limonene is GRAS
>when used in large quantities or in ways other than as a
>food additive. In other words, the FDA does not extend this GRAS
>status to using gallon(s) of it in a histology lab.
>
>OSHA does not extend a GRAS statement to any chemical. It states
>what a chemical will and won't do in terms of hazards.
>
>Therefore, no federal agency states that Limonene is GRAS for
>anyone working with it in a laboratory. Chemical hygiene and
>safety procedures still apply. Read the MSDS for additional
>information.
>
>2. Not all communities will allow the dumping of Limonene down
>the drain. It is oily and floats. Check with your area's water
>and sewer treatment plant. You may still need to have it hauled
>away, like xylene.
>
>Hope this helps.
>
>***************
>
>Peggy A. Wenk, HTL(ASCP)
>William Beaumont Hospital
>Royal Oak, MI 48073
>
>
>Jeff Silverman wrote:
>>
>> Jorge,
>> I use any of the d-limonene products: Americlear from Allegience
>Health
>> care, Hemo De from Fisher, or Clearene from Surgipath. D- limonene
>is a
>> food grade oil, a terpene extracted from the peels of oranges and
>> grapefruits. It is non toxic but it has a strong orange smell- many
>people
>> like it and many others hate it. Some people have an allergic
>sensitivity
>> reaction to it but no one in my lab has been bothered in ten years.
>Not
>> only is it non-toxic and "generally regarded as safe" by OSHA,
>d-limonene
>> has anticancer activity and is being fed to human cancer patients
>in
>> clinical trials. We can dump it down the sink and use it in all
>staining
>> stations of paraffin and Pap smears. We also use it to purge the
>tissue
>> processor- one change lasts me ten purges (two weeks) but  the
>purge
>> solution can go in the garbage not down the sink because it is too
>> saturated with paraffin. I still use xylene  in my VIP for
>processing
>> because d-limonene is not as good, some blocks are greasy. But this
>exposes
>> us to xylene only every five or six weeks when we change the
>processor.
>> D-limonene has a high vapor pressure and coverslipping multiple
>slides is
>> easy, no "corn flake nuclei" from rapid evaporation. Also, you need
>to keep
>> a jar of xylene at the coverslipping  bench to clean smeared slides
>since
>> the -d-limonene does not dissolve the Cytoseal medium.  I heartily
>endorse
>> it but watch out for allergies. E mail if you need more info.
>> Jeff Silverman
>> Southampton Hospital
>> NY USA
>> peptolab@hamptons.com
>>
>> ----------
>> > From: Jorge Villalona <jvillalona@snet.net>
>> > To: histonet@Pathology.swmed.edu
>> > Subject: Xylene Substitute
>> > Date: Wednesday, May 19, 1999 7:23 PM
>> >
>> > Hi, everyone in the field of histotechnology.
>> >
>> > Our histology lab is looking for a xylene substitute that is easy
>to
>> > dispose of, great for diparaffinization, dihydration,
>coverslipping and
>> > most important; nonhazardous to our health.
>> > If anyone is using a xylene substitute, please give us your
>input.
>> > We greatly appreciate your commends and recomendation.
>> >
>> > Thanks.
>> > Jorge Villalona; HT (ASCP)
>> >
>
>

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