[Histonet] fume exposure

[Smith, Allen]

The only staining solutions whose fumes bother me are ammonium sulfide and sulfurous acid.  I put the staining jars of these in the fume hood and carry the staining jar with the slides to the fume hood.  I bring the water rinse jar to the fume hood to take the slides out.  While sulfurous acid is merely irritating, ammonium sulfide is a mitochondrial poison (about 10% as poisonous as prussic acid).
Allen A. Smith
Professor of Anatomy
Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine

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From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of zodiac29 <@t> comcast.net
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 6:46 AM
To: Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] fume exposure




To All,



I work in a lab where I stain and coverslip everything by hand. I coverslip under a fume hood so there isn't much of an issue there. The main issue is my exposue to fumes while staining. I do not stain under a fume hood. My exposure times to these c hemicals is increasing becuase our volume is steadly increasing as well. I can no longer tolerate these fumes and am expirenc ing difficulty breathing and frequent headaches.What are labs that stain there slides  by hand doing (types of masks, hoods) to minimize their exposure. If you can recommed any specifics I would appreciate it.



Thank you in advance

Jenny



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