[Histonet] RE: Histonet Digest, Vol 94, Issue 38 Xylene safe disposal vs. aliphatic hydrocarbons e.g., Slide Bright, down the drain?

Fri Sep 30 09:24:55 CDT 2011

What about Alcohol & formalin from the processor?  The diluted alcohol (100, 95, and 75%) and the alcohol from the cleaning cycle?  Do you not pour that down the drain with water?  And, what about the H&E stainer...do you not pour the bluing, hematoxylin, eosin and acid alcohol down the drain?

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Yaskovich, Ruth A (NIH/NIDCR) [E]
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2011 9:06 AM
To: Steve McClain; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] RE: Histonet Digest, Vol 94, Issue 38 Xylene safe disposal vs. aliphatic hydrocarbons e.g., Slide Bright, down the drain?

Steve,
 I totally agree. NOTHING but water should go down the drain.
Ruth
N.I.H.

-----Original Message-----
From: Steve McClain [mailto:SteveM <@t> mcclainlab.com] 
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2011 9:35 AM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] RE: Histonet Digest, Vol 94, Issue 38 Xylene safe disposal vs. aliphatic hydrocarbons e.g., Slide Bright, down the drain?

The argument against using toxic, yet recyclable xylene in favor of a
more expensive, less efficacious xylene-substitute like Slide Bright in
larger labs is not compelling.

Aside from low volatility of Slide-Bright, what is gained in using a
more expensive substitute whose toxicities are not well-known?

The chemical composition differs, yet most MSDS warning are the same.

The advantage for low volatility can be an advantage for small hole in
the wall lab settings, like an office Mohs lab or frozen section lab in
the OR suite where ventilation may be an issue.

Unlike xylene where 75% recycling yield is norm , Slide-Bright can be
recycled- how well, I don't know.

I've requested specifics from B/R for a protocol and will forward that
info later.

However, if Slide-Bright is disposed like xylene it carries the same
disposal cost.

The company indicates Slide-Bright is a flammable aliphatic hydrocarbon
which laden with paraffin may be disposed of down the drain with copious
amounts of water, yet it is the lab directors job to ensure all local
state and federal guidelines are followed.

Aren't you defeating part of your purpose in working toward a safer lab
and greener environment by dumping aliphatic hydrocarbons into your
ground water?

Steve

Steve A. McClain, MD

McClain Labs, LLC 45 Manor Road, Smithtown, NY 11787 631 361 4000

Slide-Bright MSDS follows:

Revision Date: 6/1/2006

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET

Conforms to 93/112/EC and ISO 11014-1

1. CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

PRODUCT NAME:    OptiClear E
PRODUCT NUMBER:   OE-104

CHEMICAL NAMES/ DESCRIPTION:

Aliphatic Hydrocarbon

MANUFACTURER: National Diagnostics, Inc.

305 Patton Drive

Atlanta, GA 30336

TELEPHONE NUMBER: (800) 526-3867 (404) 699-2121

EMERGENCY NUMBER:

CHEMTREC (800) 424-9300

2. COMPOSITION / INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS

Component                                                        % Comp
CAS #    EINECS #              TLV (units)

Aliphatic Hydrocarbons

EEC LABEL SYMBOL AND CLASSIFICATION

R:

11-38

100

400 ppm

Highly flammable.  Irritating to skin.

S:  (2-) 16-23-24-62

Keep out of the reach of children.  Keep away from sources of ignition -
No Smoking.  Do not breathe fumes.  Avoid contact with the skin.  If
swallowed, do not induce vomiting:  Seek medical advice immediately and
show this container or label.

3. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

APPEARANCE AND ODOR:      Clear, colorless liquid

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW - IMMEDIATE HAZARD

HIGHLY FLAMMABLE. PRODUCT IS SLIGHTLY IRRITATING TO EYES (NO INJURY).
HIGH VAPOR MAY CAUSE RESPIRATORY TRACT IRRITATION, HEADACHE, DIZZINESS,
ANESTHESIA, DROWSINESS, UNCONSCIOUSNESS, OR DEATH.  INGESTION: MINIMAL
TOXICITY.  ASPIRATION MAY LEAD TO PULMONARY INJURY AND DEATH.

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW - CHRONIC HAZARD W ARNING

NO CHRONIC HAZARDS SUSPECTED.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS

INHALATION

High vapor/aerosol concentrations (greater than approximately 1000 ppm)
are irritating to the eyes and the respiratory tract, may cause
headaches, dizziness, anesthesia, drowsiness, unconsciousness, and other
central nervous system effects, including death.

INGESTION

Minimal toxicity by ingestion, though small amounts of this product
aspirated into the respiratory system durin ingestion or vomiting may
cause mild to severe pulmonary injury, possibly progressing to death.

SKIN

Low order or toxicity.  Frequent or prolonged contact may irritate and
cause dermatitis.  Skin contact may aggravate an existing dermatitis
condition.

EYES

Slightly irritating but does not injure eye tissue.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS 0F OVEREXPOSURE

INHALATION

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OptiClear E

Headaches, dizziness, anesthesia, drowsiness, unconsciousness, and other
central nervous system effects, including death.

INGESTION

Minimal toxicity by ingestion. SKIN

Dermatitis may occur with frequent or prolonged contact. EYES

Product is only slightly irritating to eye tissue, non injurious.
CARCINOGENICITY

Not listed by NTP, IARC, or OSHA. MUTAGENICITY

No information available. REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY

No information available. TERATOGENIC EFFECTS

No information available. ROUTES OF ENTRY

Inhalation or by skin contact. TARGET ORGAN STATEMENT

No information available.

4. FIRST AID MEASURES

INHALATION:

Remove to fresh air.  If not breathing, give artificial respiration.  If
breathing is difficult, give oxygen.  Call a physicia

INGESTION:

Do not induce vomiting.  If swallowed and the person is conscious,
immediately give large amounts of water.  Get medical attention.

SKIN:

Immediately flush skin with plenty of soap and water for at least 15
minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes.  Get medical
attention.  Wash clothing before reuse.  Thoroughly clean shoes before
reuse.

EYES:

Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least fifteen
minutes, lifting lower and upper eyelids occasionally. Get medical
attention immediately.

5. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES

FLASH POINT:

FLASH POINT METHOD:

45F (7C)

TCC

FLAMMABLE LIMITS:

AUTOIGNITION TEMPERATURE:

LEL: 1.3%; UEL: 10.2% @ 77 F

720 F

EXTINGUISHING MEDIA

Dry powder, foam, carbon dioxide. (W ater may be ineffective.)

PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

In the event of a fire, wear full protective clothing and NIOSH-approved
self-contained breathing apparatus with full facepiece operated in the
pressure demand or other positive pressure mode.

Page 2
OptiClear E

HAZARDOUS COMBUSTION PRODUCTS:

Thermal decomposition products may include carbon monoxide, carbon
dioxide, and hydrocarbons.

UNUSUAL FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS

Flammable liquid.  Vapor forms explosive mixtures with air.  Vapor may
travel considerable distances to ignition source and flash back.

NFPA CODES: Health:  1

Flammability: 3

Reactivity:   0

6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

STEPS TO BE TAKEN IN CASE MATERIAL IS RELEASED OR SPILLED

Eliminate source of ignition.  Ventilate area.  Cover with absorbent
material (soda ash) to confine spill and sweep or shovel into container.
Close container tightly.  Avoid breathing vapors.

W ASTE DISPOSAL METHOD

Disposal must be made in accordance with applicable federal, state, and
local regulations.

PERSONAL PRECAUTIONS

Wear appropriate protective equipment as specified in section 8.

7. HANDLING AND STORAGE

HANDLING

Avoid contact and inhalation.  Do not get in eyes, on skin, on clothing.
W ash thoroughly after handling.  Transfer methods should avoid static
sparks.  Use explosion proof ventilation.

STORAGE

Keep in a tightly closed container, stored in a cooled, dry, ventilated
area away from sources of heat or ignition. Protect from physical
damage.  Isolate from incompatible materials (section 10).

STORAGE TEMPERATURE:

Room Temperature

DISPOSAL

Observe all national, state, and local regulations regarding product
disposal.  Containers of this material may be hazardous when empty since
they retain product residues (vapors, liquids).

8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION

AIRBORNE EXPOSURE LIMITS:

Component:

Aliphatic Hydrocarbons

ACGIH Threshold Lim it Value (TLV): OSHA Permissible Exposure Lim it
(PEL):

ENGINEERING CONTROLS

400 ppm

A system of local and/or general exhaust is recommended to keep employee
exposures below the Airborn Exposure Limits.  Local exhaust ventilation
is generally preferred because it can control the emissions of the
contaminant at it source.

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

If the exposure limit is exceeded, wear a supplied air, full-facepiece
respirator, airlined hood, or full-facepiece self- contained breathing
apparatus.

EYE PROTECTION Safety glasses.

SKIN PROTECTION

Wear protective gloves and clean body covering clothing.

Page 3
OptiClear E

OTHER CONTROL MEASURES

Use explosion-proof ventilation equipment.  Special care is required
given the highly flammable nature of this material.

9. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Boiling Point

Melting Point

Vapor Pressure

mm Hg

Vapor Density

Air = 1

% Volatile by Volume

244 - 284 F Less than -76

36 mmHg @ 68 F

3.9

100

Evaporation Rate

Solubility in W ater pH

Specific Gravity

(H20 = 1)

1.6 (n-Bu Acetate=1) Less than 0.01% @77F

N.A.

0.72 @ 60 F

10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY

STABILITY

Stable under normal conditions of use.

CONDITIONS TO AVOID Heat, sources of ignition.

HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS None

HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION Will not occur

INCOMPATIBLES

Strong oxidizing agents.

11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION

PRODUCT LD50 VALUES

OptiClear E

Oral Rat LD50 (m g/kg):                 Minimal toxicity by ingestion.

OptiClear E

Derm al Rabbit LD50 (mg/kg):

Minimal toxicity by skin contact.

COMPONENT CANCER LIST STATUS

Component

NTP Carcinogen

Known               Anticipated

IARC Category

Aliphatic Hydrocarbons

12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

No                         No                       None

No specific ecological data is available for this material.  Please
refer to Section 6 for information regarding accidental releases.

13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS

Observe all national, state, and local regulations regarding product
disposal.  Containers of this material may be hazardou when empty since
they retain product residues (vapors, liquids).

14. TRANSPORT INFORMATION

D.O.T.

Proper Shipping Name Petroleum Products N.O.S.

Hazard Class: 3

UN Num ber: 1268

Packing Group  3

I.A.T.A.

Page 4
OptiClear E

Proper Shipping Name Petroleum Products N.O.S.

Hazard Class: 3

UN Num ber: 1268

Packing Group  3

I.M.O.

Proper Shipping Name Petroleum Products N.O.S.

Hazard Class: 3

UN Num ber: 1268

Packing Group  3

15. REGULATORY INFORMATION

UNITED STATES

TSCA Regulatory:

All intentional ingredients are listed on the TSCA Inventory.

SARA 311/312 Hazard Categories

Component

Fire         Pressure    Reactivity      Acute         Chronic

Aliphatic Hydrocarbons

EUROPE

EEC Regulatory:

Yes               No               No               No               No

All intentional ingredients are listed on the European EINECS Inventory.

EEC LABEL SYMBOL AND CLASSIFICATION

R:

11-38

Highly flammable.  Irritating to skin.

S:  (2-) 16-23-24-62

Keep out of the reach of children.  Keep away from sources of ignition -
No Smoking.  Do not breathe fumes.  Avoid contact with the skin.  If
swallowed, do not induce vomiting:  Seek medical advice immediately and
show this container or label.

16. OTHER INFORMATION

NFPA CODES: Health:  1

Flammability: 3

Reactivity:   0

MANUFACTURER DISCLAIMER: The information given herein is offered in good
faith as accurate, but without guarantee.  Conditions of use and
suitability of the product for particular uses are beyond our control.
All risks of use of the product are therefore assumed by the user.
Nothing is intended as a recommendation for uses which infringe valid
patents or as extending license under valid patents.  Appropriate
warnings and safe handling procedures should be provided to handlers and
users.

Page 5
OptiClear E

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