Just come in the mail from Anatech is Vol 4., No. 2 of The Innovator, Autumn 
2001.

They describe a product I'd certainly want to look at if I were trying to 
stain amyloid. What they have named "Amyloid Red" they describe as a ureylene 
(rather than benzidine) based dye, which according to their MSDS is Direct 
red 72 which is C.I. 29200 and CAS#10114-26-6. It is supposed to replace 
Congo red in amyloid staining. It colors amyloid, with the same birefringence 
(polarization) properties as Congo red.

Obsolete as a textile dye for many years, benzidine-based Congo red is now 
listed by OSHA as a carcinogen, and is likely to go out of manufacture.

Anatech, please put this very informative article on your Web site where 
everybody can read it!

http://www.anatechltdusa.com/
http://my.net-link.net/~anatech/www/anatech/MSDSfolder/AmyloidRedMSDS.html

The same issue of The Innovator contains updates on Anatech's manufacture of 
Alcian blue, and on their formulation of brazilin (similar to hematoxylin, 
but much redder) as a nuclear stain to replace Nuclear Fast Red.

Bob Richmond
Samurai Pathologist
Knoxville TN