[Histonet] Does xylene cause skin cancer?

[Rene J Buesa]

There is no evidence in the literature about skin cancer produced by xylene, although dermatitis are well documented.
Regardless you should use gloves whenever your hands can get in contact with any chemical as a good safety practice. If your colleagues do not want to use gloves, that is their prerogative, as is yours to wear them. 
René J.

--- On Tue, 2/21/12, Jenny Vega <histotech411 <@t> gmail.com> wrote:


From: Jenny Vega <histotech411 <@t> gmail.com>
Subject: [Histonet] Does xylene cause skin cancer?
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Date: Tuesday, February 21, 2012, 10:17 PM


I am asking this because in my job we mount slides by hand, and my
coworkers don't like to use gloves because it leaves a residue of latex in
the back of the slides. I really don't feel comfortable mounting without
gloves because I heard that xyelene can cause cancer. Some people I know
personally has told me that this is not possible, but I read in some places
that xylene could a possible carcinogen.

I have already gotten contact with xylene in my hands a couple of times and
I am worried.



Thanks.
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