[Histonet] Xylene sensitivity

[Glen Dawson]

Shelley,
 
Perhaps this employee should look into other job opportunities.  The histo lab is filled with chemicals that can cause sensitivity in those people who may be prone to that.  Unfortunately, some of the main players in the histo lab (xylene & formalin) are often the culprit, but they are the best products in terms of how well they work, how universally they are used, how well their characteristics are known, etc...  I hate to sound like I'm not sympathetic, because I truly am, but I think it is a mistake to modify a histology lab's procedures to accomodate a new employee.
 
Just my opinion,
 
Glen Dawson  BS, HT(ASCP) & QIHC
Milwaukee, WI
 

> Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2011 08:27:19 -0500
> From: SDattili <@t> stormontvail.org
> To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> Subject: [Histonet] Xylene sensitivity
> 
> Hi all,
> I have a new employee who is developing a scratchy, painful throat and some difficulty breathing when exposed to xylene (for instance, when the cover is raised on the coverslipper). This is her first job in a lab of any sort. We are investigating all the usual culprits--air handling system, hoods, allergies or virus unrelated to histology, etc. Right now she is wearing a PAPR to work, which is obviously not a long-term solution. Ultimately, I think we will conclude that this employee has a sensitivity to xylene and possibly other chemicals in the histology lab, as other employees are not complaining about symptoms related to chemicals.
> 
> Does anyone have any experience with activated charcoal air cleaners? I am looking at a portable unit that sits on casters and provides 4 air exchanges per hour. It's not cheap at $1000, but well worth it if it will provide relief for this employee and allow her to continue her employment. Our lab is approximately 800-1000 sq. ft in size with 8 foot ceilings. We have 1 standard bio-hood for processing cytology fluids and 2 wall-mounted "air suckers" above our processors. I am open to any suggestions.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Shelley D'Attilio MT(ASCP)
> Manager, Chemistry, Cytology and Histology
> Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
> Stormont-Vail HealthCare
> Topeka, Kansas
> 
> 
> 
> 
> NEED A DOCTOR? Stormont-Vail's Health Connections can help you find a doctor accepting new patients. Call (785) 354-5225.
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