When we started having that problem years ago, we started adding a few drops
of blue food coloring to the formalin.  We also sent letters out to all of
our outside clients and explained the reason for this.  It worked very well.
Karla Carson HT/HTL(ASCP)
Regional Pathology Supervisor	
Mercy Healthcare Sacramento
916-453-4494
kcarson@chw.edu <mailto:kcarson@chw.edu> 

		-----Original Message-----
		From:	Skelton, Michelle [mailto:mskelton@anthc.org]
		Sent:	Tuesday, September 14, 1999 10:15 AM
		To:	'histonet@pathology.swmed.edu'
		Subject:	formalin detection

		Is there anything out there (aside from noses and eyes) to
detect the
		presence of formalin in a specimen container.  One of our
pathologist has a
		difficult time determining whether something was submitted
in formalin or
		saline.

		Thanks in advance,
		Michelle Skelton
		Alaska Native Medical Center