[Histonet] Xylene sensitivity

[Montina Van Meter]

Shelly,

Is your new employee a certified histotech?  Did she rotate through
clinical labs while in histo school?  I would think she would have
experienced this sensitivity during that time period as well.

Tina


-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
[mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Glen
Dawson
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 10:11 AM
To: sdattili <@t> stormontvail.org; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Xylene sensitivity


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.
> 
>
************************************************************************
******************************************
> 
> The information transmitted in this e-mail and in any replies and
forwards are for the sole use of the above individual(s) or entities and
may contain proprietary, privileged and/or highly confidential
information. Any unauthorized dissemination, review, distribution or
copying of these communications is strictly prohibited. If this e-mail
has been transmitted to you in error, please notify and return the
original message to the sender immediately at the above listed address.
Thank you for your cooperation.
> 
>
************************************************************************
******************************************
> _______________________________________________
> Histonet mailing list
> Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
> http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet
 
_______________________________________________
Histonet mailing list
Histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet