[Histonet] Paraffin blocks - Dangerous goods?

[Robyn Vazquez]

John,
Now that I think about it, I get blocks in the mail occasionally. 
Maybe it is a regulation that is not known to a doctors office or it is
a turn blind eye regulation, because it's not like getting a slab of
meat in the mail ;0)
 
Robyn
OHSU

>>> "John Mackinnon" <Mackinnon <@t> holburn.com> 12/1/2004 8:20:02 AM >>>

I would say that that regulation would be open to interpretation.  My
interpretation would be that most tissues following fixation do not
contain viable pathogens and in most cases it would be reasonable to
expect that it does not contain pathogens and is therefore not a
biohazard.  I know that there are some infectious agents that survive
fixation and processing but in most cases we are aware of these
because
they have been diagnosed (most of the time).  These few cases fit the
definition and should be handled accordingly.  This is just one mans
opinion.  

P.S.
I wonder if all of the meat packing plants include a shipper's
declaration (E.coli, BSE) with their raw unfixed carcases they ship to
the grocery stores and butcher shops.  Now there is something to think
about. 

John MacKinnon MLT, ART
Laboratory Director 
Holburn Biomedical Corporation
905-623-1484
mackinnon <@t> holburn.com

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-----Original Message-----
From: Robyn Vazquez [mailto:vazquezr <@t> ohsu.edu] 
Sent: November 30, 2004 6:30 PM
To: LuckG <@t> empirehealth.org; Rcartun <@t> harthosp.org;
histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Paraffin blocks - Dangerous goods?

Richard,
They are a regulated class 6.2, it is a substance known or reasonalbly
expected to contain pathogens.  If you ship dangerous goods you will
need a shipper's declaration which is required.

Robyn
OHSU 

>>> "Luck, Greg D." <LuckG <@t> empirehealth.org> 11/30/2004 1:59:19 PM >>>

Richard,

Would you further define or point me towards a regulatory definition
of
"Dangerous Goods".
Thanks, Greg

Greg Luck, BS, HT(ASCP)
Anatomic Pathology Supervisor
Deaconess Medical Center
800 W. 5th Ave
Spokane, WA 99204
Phone 509.473.7077
Fax 509.473.7133
luckg <@t> empirehealth.org



-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Cartun [mailto:Rcartun <@t> harthosp.org]
Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 8:12 AM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Paraffin blocks - Dangerous goods?


I have just been told that paraffin tissue blocks are considered
"Dangerous Goods" and can only be packaged and shipped by individuals
who have received special training.  Would anyone like to comment on
this?  Thank you.

Richard


Richard W. Cartun, Ph.D.
Director, Immunopathology & Histology
Assistant Director, Anatomic Pathology
Hartford Hospital
80 Seymour Street
Hartford, CT  06102
(860) 545-1596
(860) 545-0174 Fax

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