[Histonet] Flames at embedding centers

[Victoria Baker]

My very first Histo job was with Metpath in Hackensack NJ.  We had Bunsen
burners right next to a xylene bath for dirty molds.  One day a tech
accidentally had a xylene Bunsen burner collision and started a fire.  We
had another tech who was quick with head and feet who was able to
extinguish it - but there was damage.  As to smoking in the lab I do
remember.  Between the fumes and the smoke I found breathing a little
difficult.  But yes those were the "good 'ol days".
Vikki
On Nov 18, 2014 5:22 PM, "Marcum, Pamela A" <PAMarcum <@t> uams.edu> wrote:

> We have days when one of the histologist who has been here for years and I
> (going in 50years) start talking about the good days and everyone here is
> under 40.  They look shocked and then disbelief and then they think we are
> kidding.  They are so sure we have always known which chemicals were
> dangerous or killers and no one could possibly ever have been so careless.
> WOW!  I like to show them old equipment and ask how they think it might
> work in a lecture on tissue processing.  They have no clue about an open
> processor in small room with no ventilation and we worked in it with our
> open stains lines and flames on the counter.  Now it does sound scary!
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:
> histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Blazek, Linda
> Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2014 3:04 PM
> To: Jay Lundgren; Ludlow Patricia
> Cc: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: RE: [Histonet] Flames at embedding centers
>
> Grinning and remembering the "good old days".  What's more fun is the look
> of horror on the faces of the young ones when they hear it!
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:
> histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Jay Lundgren
> Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2014 2:42 PM
> To: Ludlow Patricia
> Cc: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: Re: [Histonet] Flames at embedding centers
>
>     Ahh, the good old days of walking into the lab and lighting all the
> Bunsen burners first thing in the morning.  I didn't have any hair on my
> knuckles for years.  Embedding with a Coke on the cold plate, and a smoke
> in the ashtray next to you, anyone?  Good times.
>
>      Now we have to use forceps warmers and change forceps between
> specimens.  If you get 3 or 4 pair of forceps, one will always be hot
> enough to use.  Also, there are embedding centers with heated forceps,
> which I love .
>      Just remember to clean out the wells of the forceps warmers every day
> to prevent cross contamination.  Cotton applicator swabs work great for
> this.  And always keep a towel or gauze handy to wipe the tips of the
> forceps between specimens.  Forceps warmers unfortunately don't incinerate
> any stray tissue like a Bunsen burner did.
>
>                        Sincerely,
>
>                                Jay A. Lundgren, M.S., HTL (ASCP)
>
> >
> >
> >
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