[Histonet] Does xylene cause skin cancer?

[Hilary Smith]

You might want to go to something with even greater chemical resistance - thin nitrile is not recommended for use with xylene:

http://www.kcproductselector.com/~/media/RelatedMedia/PDFs/Gloves/K2365_09_01_SN%20Chem%20Guide_v10.ashx

According to our xylene MSDS: "The substance may be toxic to blood, kidneys, liver,
mucous membranes, bone marrow, central nervous system (CNS). Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can
produce target organs damage."

I would definitely use gloves if I were you.

Hilary


-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Debbie Faichney
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 8:15 AM
To: Rene J Buesa; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu; Jenny Vega
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Does xylene cause skin cancer?

If you can get a hold of them, try using Nitrile gloves as these have a higher chemical resistance than latex.  I use them and change every 30 minutes to avoid breakthrough.

Debbie Faichney
Institute of Aquaculture
University of Stirling
UK 

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Rene J Buesa
Sent: 22 February 2012 13:09
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu; Jenny Vega
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Does xylene cause skin cancer?

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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