[Histonet] RE: Xylene Substitutes

[Barbara Stancel]

I'm with Charles.

We have been using xylene for 31 years. We have tried the xylene 
substitutes, but we and our pathologist prefer xylene. We recycle all the 
xylene to reduce cost of purchasing and cut hazardous waste. We have great 
ventilation in the lab. Our twice-a-year STEL monitoring has come back at 
way below the acceptable limits.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.


Barbara Stancel
USDA, FSIS, OPHS, EL, Pathology
Athens, Georgia


-----Original Message-----
From: Charles.Embrey
Sent: Friday, June 17, 2005 1:40 PM
To: 'Joyce Cline'
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Xylene substitutes

Your quote "They all realize how bad Xylene is". Just how bad IS xylene?
I have been using it for 25 years and am still alive and kicking.  We
recycle ours so we don't even have an environmental issue to deal with.
I have never used any substitute that worked as well or better than
xylene itself.  Many claim to be almost as good as xylene and that is
about as close as any get.  As for me, I am sticking with what works.

Charles Embrey PA(ASCP)

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Joyce
Cline
Sent: Friday, June 17, 2005 12:05 PM
To: 'Histonet'
Subject: [Histonet] Xylene substitutes

I use Clear-rite 3 and our pathologists have no problem with it. They
all realize how bad Xylene is. I use H-2 Blue beads to help eliminate
the water from our high humidity.