[Histonet] Xylene sensitivity

Tue Sep 27 22:35:01 CDT 2011

I understand the reluctance to discontinue the use of the xylene in the 
tissue processor for FDA compliance, but why not change the solvent for 
staining and coverslipping?  Just curious.
Jennifer MacDonald

"D'Attilio, Shelley" <SDattili <@t> stormontvail.org> 
Sent by: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
09/27/2011 01:25 PM

To
"Sarah Holmes" <sarah <@t> kidneybiopsy.com>
cc
"Histonet Listserv \(E-mail\)" <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Subject
RE: [Histonet] Xylene sensitivity

Hi Sarah,
Thanks so much for the information.  We do have a small fume extractor 
next to our formalin containers in the Gross Room.  This might be worth a 
try for the coverslipper anyway.  I believe that the piece of equipment I 
am thinking of buying while we evaluate xylene replacements is a larger 
version of that type of device, so it might work quite well.

Thanks for taking the time to respond,
Shelley

-----Original Message-----
From: Sarah Holmes [mailto:sarah <@t> kidneybiopsy.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 12:22 PM
To: D'Attilio, Shelley
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Xylene sensitivity

Not fully understanding your setup, we have had great success with 
inexpensive local fume extractors, like welders use, at our grossing and 
coverslipping sites.  We still hand coverslip in front of a container of 
xylene (holding roughly 400ml) and we set the fume extractor right behind 
it 
to divert all fumes thru the charcoal filter.  The fan competes so 
strongly 
with airflow that xylene (formalin) fumes are never in the breathing zone 
of 
the worker, and they are run thru an activated charcoal filter which we 
change every 3 months.

Available at technitool.com, item number 272SO350 is the extractor, 
272SO352 
are filters.

Hope this helps!

Sarah Holmes
Laboratory Manager
Laboratory for Kidney Pathology, Inc.
1916 Patterson St, Suite 501
Nashville, TN 37203
615-321-5729

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "D'Attilio, Shelley" <SDattili <@t> stormontvail.org>
To: "Histonet Listserv (E-mail)" <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 8:27 AM
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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doctor accepting new patients.  Call (785) 354-5225.

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