[Histonet] Disinfecting Cryostat

[Caroline Miller]

In the UK (where I used to run a clinical lab) we also would turn off  
the cryostat in the morning, wait for it to defrost then just before  
going home for the evening heat up some formalin in the microwave and  
place that in the chamber and leave overnight.

It certainly kills everything, but it is also kinda toxic to your  
lungs! I wouldn't suggest it but it is a 'severe cleaning' option,  
especially if you have had something nasty in there.

This was about 5 years ago, the rules may have changed, and Yes, I do  
realise just how bad that is for you and everyone around!

Caroline


Caroline Miller
Co-Manager
J David Gladstone Institutes Histology and Microscopy Core
1650 Owens St
San Francisco
CA 94158

http://www.gladstone.ucsf.edu/gladstone/site/histology/
cmiller <@t> gladstone.ucsf.edu




On Feb 7, 2009, at 1:11 PM, Lee & Peggy Wenk wrote:

> 95-100% also work, for bacteria, fungus, viruses. They will not work  
> on
> killing spores. That's where the 70% is to be used, as the water  
> (30% part)
> is needed to soften the spore wall, so that the alcohol (70% part)  
> can get
> inside.
>
> Peggy A. Wenk, HTL(ASCP)SLS
> Beaumont Hospital
> Royal Oak, MI 48073
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Ingles
> Claire
> Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 6:38 PM
> To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: RE: [Histonet] Disinfecting Cryostat
>
> Why no 95%? We have been using it in perpituity with no bad effects.  
> The
> alcohol has evaporated from the inside surfaces by morning.
>
> Claire
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu on behalf of gayle  
> callis
> Sent: Fri 2/6/2009 11:11 AM
> To: 'Louise Hartson'; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: RE: [Histonet] Disinfecting Cryostat
>
>
>
> We use 70% ethanol on gauze (just damp) to wipe down inside of  
> cryostat. Do
> not use 95% or 100% alcohol, as 70% is the most effective for  
> disinfection,
> commonly used in biohoods. We pick up little trimmings with first  
> dampened
> gauze (or kim wipe) then re-wipe with a second gauze. We prefer  
> gauze for
> its flexibility.  Also, if you put a kimwipe or gauze behind knife  
> holder to
> l catch trimmings then you can fold up kimwipe, and lift "garbage"  
> out,
> intact, and go to biohazard container before wipe down.  We try to  
> avoid too
> much alcohol on knife holder parts since alcohol ruins lubricants  
> needed for
> good operation.  Check with your cryostat manufacturer to see what  
> they
> recommend.   It pays to wipe down under and over sliding glass door to
> counterattack biohazardous "cling-ons" found on your gloves, and where
> people have touched the instrument. 70% alcohol will not kill prions.
>
> Water based disinfectants freeze in cryostat. Eventually you need  
> scheduled
> disinfection with cryostat in defrosted mode with approved  
> disinfecting
> agent.
>
>
>
>
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