[Histonet] Zinc Formalin for Bone Marrow Biopsies

[Horn, Hazel V]

We use zinc formalin to fix all of our tissues.   It will not harm the
biopsy to left overnight.   Our formalin is disposed of as hazardous
waste and would be even without the zinc.   You will need to wash the
bone marrows after fixation as zinc formalin does not mix well with
regular buffered formalin.  A cloudy precipitate will form if you do not
wash after zinc fixation.

Hazel Horn
Hazel Horn, HT/HTL (ASCP)
Supervisor of Histology
Arkansas Children's Hospital
800 Marshall    Slot 820
Little Rock, AR   72202

phone   501.364.4240
fax        501.364.3155

visit us on the web at:    www.archildrens.org

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Smith
Wanda
Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2008 8:02 AM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Zinc Formalin for Bone Marrow Biopsies

Good Morning,
We have substituted Zinc Formalin for B5 for our BM bxs.  I have a few
questions I hope someone can help me with.
1.  We increased fixation time 1.5 times from the B5.  Question:  Is
there a maximum amount of time the bxs can stay in the ZF without
causing harm to the bx?  If a BM Bx stays in Zinc Formalin overnight,
will that harm the cellular morphology?
2.  Can Zinc Formalin be disposed of the same way we dispose of our 10%
NBF?  The B5 had to be picked up for special disposal due to the mercury
content.  Is there special handling for Zinc Formalin?
Thanks and have a great day!!!
Wanda

WANDA G. SMITH, HTL(ASCP)HT
Pathology Supervisor
TRIDENT MEDICAL CENTER
9330 Medical Plaza Drive
Charleston, SC  29406
843-847-4586
843-847-4296 fax

_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet

******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
The information contained in this message may be privileged and confidential
and protected from disclosure. If the reader of this message is not the 
intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this 
message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any 
dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly 
prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify 
us immediately by replying to the message and deleting it from your computer.
Thank you.