[Histonet] 4% PFA (Carcinogenic?)

[Pamela Marcum]

Paraformaldehyde is the powder form of Formaldehyde so the rules for both
are to be carefully considered and compared.  We have many things we work
with daily in Histology or any laboratory that are known or suspected
carcinogens and should be handled as such.  Always read your MDSD paperwork
with new products or applications for warnings.  It is wise to periodically
look at standard products for as we sometimes become complacent and forget
the dangers.

Best Regards,

Pamela A Marcum
Histology/Microscopy
Product Development Manager
Polysciences, Inc.
400 Valley Road
Warrington, PA 18976
Telephone: 800-523-2575     Ext. 167
                     215-343-6484     Ext. 167

Fax:             800-343-3291
                    215-343-0214




> -----Original Message-----
> From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu]On Behalf Of Pablo
> Sánchez Quinteiro
> Sent: Thursday, October 07, 2004 10:53 AM
> To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: [Histonet] 4% PFA (Carcinogenic?)
>
>
> Whenever I have had problems with 4% PFA samples (mainly in brain samples)
> I have turned to Bouin's Fluid. It is wonderful: much easier to prepare
> than paraformaldehyde and fixation is really good with excellent
> preservation of the tissue and even nicer H-E staining than PFA. On the
> negative side some histological stainings and some antibodies do not work
> with Bouin's samples. But if you have problems with PFA is worth to have a
> trial with Bouin.
>
> On the negative side of PFA I have recently read that PFA is probably
> carcinogenic in humnas. Is that true? What cautions do you take, PFA
> people? During perfusion and dissection of the tissue it is not easy to me
> avoiding contact with the PFA fumes.
>
> Thanks for your input.
>
> Pablo Sanchez
>
>
> >I completely agree with you. I have done side by side
> experiments and found
> >the results to be far superior with 10% NBF or 10% formalin. For whatever
> >reason, the sections expand and distort more on the waterbath with 4%
> >formaldehyde made from paraformaldehyde (4%PFA) and are more difficult to
> >section. I think its the methanol (the very methanol everyone is
> trying to
> >avoid by using 4%PFA).
> >
> >Sharron
> >USF
>
>
>
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