Hi all,

An associate of mine, Kumathu Paulose, asked if I would post the 
following method that he developed for anyone who wants it. I haven't 
tried it, but I know that he is a very experienced histotechnician.
I hope that someone finds it useful and I'm sure he would appreciate 
feedback. Just post it to the net and I'll make sure he gets it.

Karen Pawlowski



Removal of Silver Deposits from Glassware and Plastic Dishes

In the histology laboratory, metallic silver is often deposited on
glassware and plastic dishes after the use of silver stains.  This
deposit of silver can be easily removed within a few seconds by the
following method.

Pour concentrated nitric acid into the container having the silver 
deposit. The metallic silver reacts with the nitric acid to form silver
nitrate and hydrogen is liberated according to the following equation:

Ag2 + 2HNO3 -> 2AgNO3 +H2(released)

All of the silver deposits from the container will be removed in less
than one minute.  This reaction needs to be carried out under a fume 
hood wearing gloves.  Care should be taken when handling strong acid.