[Histonet] RE: pfa vs. formalin

[Monfils, Paul]

The only difference is that commercial formaldehyde solution contains a
stabilizer, usually 10 to 15% methanol.  Therefore, 10% NBF made up from
such a solution contains 1 to 1.5% methanol, while 10% buffered NBP contains
nothing but water, formaldehyde, and buffer salts.  For routine
morphological studies this makes no difference whatsoever.  But for some
special studies the presence of a small amount of methanol could be
deleterious, and for any such procedures paraformaldehyde would be
preferable.