[Histonet] flattening glycol methacrylate sections

[Gayle Callis]

We never used warm water baths since the fumes from glycol methacrylate are 
toxic, plus one can become very sensitized to this plastic.

We used a cold water bath, a large square glass staining dish either 20 or 
30 slide capacity size, lifted the section from the glass knife edge with a 
sharp forceps,  and dropped it onto RT water.  It takes a bit of skill to do 
this and if helped to have a magnifier lamp during sectioning.  When we used 
ammonia  drops in the water, our sections took a dive to bottom of staining 
dish (square), probably more of a technic issue.   You can still try the 
ammonia hydroxide drops though.

Using a very sharp, new edge was mandatory with glass knives to get a flat 
section to begin with.  If your knife is not delightfully sharp, this will 
contribute to sections not being flat.  Tungsten carbide knives need to be 
kept very sharp also.

We changed the glass knife every time we cut a new block, but did use the 
old knife to trim before sectioning with the new glass knife.


Gayle M. Callis
HTL/HT/MT(ASCP)
Bozeman MT


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paula Pierce" <contact <@t> excaliburpathology.com>
To: "Histonet" <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2008 11:54 AM
Subject: [Histonet] flattening glycol methacrylate sections


Try room temp. water with a few drops of ammonium hydroxide.
Paula Pierce, HTL(ASCP)HT