[Histonet] Isopentane storage-the polling is open

[Lee & Peggy Wenk]

Definitely make it explosion-proof.

See the following article by Robert Skinner in Sakura's Histo-Logic.
http://www.sakura-americas.com/histologic/pdf/03_may.pdf

He had an explosion in a freezer, when a researcher tried to store 50 mL 
(about $2.00) worth of isopentane in a regular freezer, and the lid on the 
container wasn't on tight enough. Fortunately, it was the middle of the 
night, and no one was in the room. The freezer door flew 12 feet, and there 
was lots of flames. See the photos!

The article mentions the damage at $165,000, but I talked with Robert about 
a year later, and he said the total was over $1,000,000 when everything was 
factored in.

Peggy A. Wenk, HTL(ASCP)SLS
Beaumont Health System
Royal Oak, MI 48073

The opinions expressed are mine, and do not reflect on my place of 
employment.

-----Original Message----- 
From: Morken, Timothy
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2013 2:32 PM
To: Paula Sicurello ; HistoNet
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Isopentane storage-the polling is open

Paula, we keep ours at room temp in a small flam cab near the muscle bench. 
We keep two gallons on hand.

In Dapson & Dapson's book "Hazardous Materials in the Histopathology 
Laboratory" (Anatech, 2005) they do not make any specific recommendations 
concerning storage temperature, except to say IF it is kept in the 
refrigerator/freezer use only an explosion-proof refrigerator/freezer.

The flash point is -50C, so a fridge is not significantly different than 
room temp, unless your lab is often over 30C/85F (the boiling point!).


Tim Morken
Supervisor, Electron Microscopy/Neuromuscular Special Studies
Department of Pathology
UC San Francisco Medical Center



-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Paula 
Sicurello
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2013 10:35 AM
To: HistoNet
Subject: [Histonet] Isopentane storage-the polling is open

Hello HistoNetters,

I have been having a discussion with my boss about whether or not to store 
the isopentane (used for freezing muscle biopsies) in the refrigerator. (An 
expensive, explosion proof one that I would have to buy.)

Her only experience is with the isopentane stored in the refrigerator, my 
experiences are with storing it at room temperature.

What do you all do?  Room temp or refrigerated?

Any and all comments are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Paula

--
Paula Sicurello, HTL (ASCP)
Supervisor, Clinical Electron Microscopy Laboratory Duke University Health 
System Rm.#251M, Duke South, Green Zone Durham, North Carolina 27710
P:  919.684.2091
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