Linda, If you are working with fixed tissue it probably isn't a concern. The
vacs that were originally brought up were for frozen sections. I don't think
you'd want to have a shop vac with fresh tissue glop in it! Shop vacs are
not exactly known for exhausting clean air, either. At least a manufacturer
of a specialized vac is most likely to be able to prove their vac will not
exaust infectious agents. ShopVac Corp probably hasn't thought of testing
their vacs in that manner!

Tim Morken, BA, EMT(MSA), HTL(ASCP)
Infectious Disease Pathology Activity
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Ms-G32
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30333
USA

PH: 404-639-3964
FAX: 404-639-3043

email: tim9@cdc.gov



-----Original Message-----
From: Linda Jenkins [mailto:jlinda@ces.clemson.edu]
Sent: Monday, October 23, 2000 3:17 PM
To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Subject: Cryostat vacuums


Well...listening to this topic got me to thinking (always a dangerous
thing!).  I suspect the hepa vacuums are probably fairly expensive.  Why
couldn't one use  a wet-dry shop vac?  Simply vacuum up the trash and then
follow with a 10% Chlorox rinse. Since I just acquired a new Microm
cryostat and am looking for an easy way to handle this - I would really
appreciate your thoughts.  Since my hard tissue lab already looks like a
machine shop with its assortment of table saws, drill presses, grinders,
etc. - I thought a shop vac would add a certain appeal:-)
	Linda
*********************************
Linda Jenkins, HT
Clemson University
Department of Bioengineering
864.656.5553
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