[Histonet] CAP standard for formalin and xyelene testing

[Percival Karen]

Some time ago, I had tested each one of my staff doing the same procedures for both formaldehyde and xylene.  Procedures included, autostaining, processor changes, staining rack changes, recycling, and disposal procedures.  Everyone except for one person was within normal limits.  This one person was tested several times over, and his/her results continued to be outside of the acceptable range for both long and short-term exposure limits.  Finally, we had to physically observe this person doing his/her job for both the short and long-term exposure tests.  
 
Long story short, this person was simply working too quickly and was not being as cautious as s/he should have been.  Splashing occurred all too frequently.  Although s/he followed the same procedures and protocols for all of his/her activities as the other staff members, his/her level of carelessness caused his/her monitor badge readings to constantly be above the acceptable limits.
 
Test everyone.
 
 
 
Karen Percival, BS, HT
Research Scientist II
Pfizer Research DSRD
1 Burtt Road
G3025
Andover, MA 01810
888-577-1500 x 4058
kpercival @wyeth.com

>>> "Mahoney,Janice A" <Janice.Mahoney <@t> alegent.org> 1/19/2010 9:15 AM >>>

My understanding is that it is the job, not the employee that must be monitored.  So if you have three people using the same process of changing the stainer, only one of those people needs to be tested.
Please correct me if I am wrong.
Thanks,
Jan Mahoney
Omaha, NE

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Jeffrey Silverman
Sent: Monday, January 18, 2010 4:19 PM
To: sjkitten <@t> live.com 
Cc: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu 
Subject: [Histonet] CAP standard for formalin and xyelene testing

CAP standard says formaldehyde testing should be done for each employee as an eight hour exposure and a short term exposure limit. If two tests done at least one week apart are under action levels, there is no need for further ongoing monitoring unless new process, employee, or other factor that might increase exposure is introduced. Or if an employee feels they have a problem and requests it. So I guess each employee is tested twice and then that's it unless you over the limit.

Xylene is similar- once you have two tests under action levels, there is no need for ongoing monitoring unless things change as above.

Jeffrey Silverman HT HTL QIHC (ASCP)
Pathologists' Assistant- Lab Safety Officer
Southside Hospital NSLIJHS
Bay Shore, NY USA
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