Nieves: NO formalin substitute will work in the same way as formalin and the solution is not to start testing other "substitutes" that will make your life miserable and your sections and staining procedures of sub-standard quality. The solution is: 1- to use LESS amounts of formalin (a 5:1 volume is more than enough); 2- have a well ventilated area; 3- do NOT prepare your own buffered formalin; buy pre-filled sample bottles; and 4- never handle formalin more than absolutely necessary. Under separate cover I am sending you 2 articles I wrote on this subject René J.
________________________________ From: Nieves Gomez <ngo...@neiker.net> To: histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu Sent: Friday, November 9, 2012 8:55 AM Subject: [Histonet] formalin substitutes. HELP Dear Histonetters, I'm new in the net. I work as Pathologist in a Vet Lab in Spain. Because formalin is toxic our Lab is for the practice of using alternative fixatives. I think the main viable alternative is glyoxal based formulas, but I have so many questions that Commercials don't know or don't want to answer me. For example, have a MSDS or is it accessible? Really is less hazardous than formalin or just is not checked? (the advantages and desadvantages of formalin are known for at least 100 years). Related to this, I think the glyoxal is suggested as a formalin substitute in an article in 1940's and now it is sold as a "new product" and most of the products are sold as "green", "no-toxic" or "non harmful". In my opinion, a fixative can not be "non-toxic" if you want it fixed tissues. Another question is the time needed to fix tissues or the ratio volume specimen/fixative. To the first point, I have read an article that mentions there is mould growth in specimens over time. Are we changing a "chemical risk" to a "biological risk"? In my lab we have a specifically workstation for the gross examination and sectioning of specimens, and we wear all the Personal Protective Equipment needed (formalin chemical filters, gloves, googles...) that minimizes the risk (the chemical risk not the biological risk). It is believed that formalin given time will kill any microorganisms (or spores) present in tissues, mycobacteria also.. what about these new products? Are they germicidal? I do not get to appreciate the morfological changes (nuclear changes, lysis of erithrocites, eosinophilia...) because they are well documented. My aim is to know if there is any Lab that works with any formalin substitute routinely to aks these questions. Please, help me. Thanks and have a nice weekend Nieves Gomez Veterinary Pathologist Animal Health Department NEIKER-Tecnalia Berreaga, 1. 48160 Derio. Bizkaia. Spain. ngo...@neiker.net _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet