[Histonet] Removing "build up" from reagent containers

[Akemi Allison-Tacha]

I am curious why you are using TAP WATER instead of DI water to make  
your 70% alcohol.  There has been a great deal of discussion  
regarding water in the lab arena.  It's all in the WATER!!   
Everything is made with WATER!!  Your area of the country has a  
tremendous amount of minerals in the water. (Lithium Carbonate) is  
also a mineral and brings your water to a high pH to make it a bluing  
solution, around pH 9.0.  Besides that, there are alot of other  
undesirable components & Critters in TAP WATER.  A residual will  
appear as the bluing solution with (Lithium Carbonate) stands for a  
period of time.  This is normal and to be expected.

As well as the fact that pH can change seasonally and from morning to  
afternoon.  When I was doing research on my H&E project in 2002 &  
2003, I talked to over 300 histotechs around the country.  I found  
out that in California & Fort Bragg, NC  local water providers, flush  
the water systems with chlorine (bleach) periodically.  This is  
maddening when your slides are washing in tap water after staining in  
hematoxylin.  All of a sudden your nuclear staining is stripped-out  
because of the chlorine content in the water.  Think about it, it's  
doing the same thing as when you differentiate in acid alcohol.  Some  
proactive supervisors have contacted the local water providers to  
give them a heads-up when they flush their system.  They then wash  
with bottled water.  Think about it, your DI water is affected too.   
The chlorine runs through your DI purification system.  Ventana's  
tech support will always question the water when they are doing their  
trouble-shooting.  They have had  tons of instrument issues because  
of BAD water.  Food for thought....


Phoenix Lab Consulting
Specializing in Histology, SS, IHC, & Microarray
Madison, WI
Akemi Allison-Tacha BS, HT (ASCP) HTL
President
Cell: 		(925) 788-0900
E-Mail:	 akemiat3377 <@t> yahoo.com

On Feb 21, 2007, at 6:30 AM, sheila adey wrote:

>
> Hi Histonetters,
>
> We get a "build up" on the edges of our 70% alcohol container on  
> our stainer but no "build up" on the 70% alcohol container on the  
> processor. (we use tap water to make up the 70%)
> The 1% Lithium Carbonate that we use for bluing in the frozen room  
> also develops this "build up"?
> We've tried so many ways to clean these containers but have not  
> found an effective solution.
> Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Have a great day!!
>
>
> Sheila Adey HT MLT
> Port Huron Hospital
> Michigan
>
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