[Histonet] Does xylene cause skin cancer?

[Tony Henwood (SCHN)]

Hi all,

My 2 cents worth, just be careful which gloves you wear. The reason for latex residues appearing on the back of the slides is that you are wearing the wrong gloves. 
Nitrile gloves are what you need to be using, latex will dissolve in the xylene. 

Remember (1):
	Disposable gloves provide a barrier protection when working with small amounts of laboratory chemicals.
	If a disposable glove becomes contaminated, remove immediately and replace with a new glove.
	Never reuse disposable gloves.

(1)	"Guidelines for the selection of Chemically Resistant Gloves" (http://www.bioc.cam.ac.uk/safety/glove_guide.pdf)

(2) 	"Ansell Chemical Resistance Guide" (http://www.ansellpro.com/download/Ansell_7thEditionChemicalResistanceGuide.pdf)

http://www.aps.anl.gov/Safety_and_Training/User_Safety/gloveselection.html


Regards 
Tony Henwood JP, MSc, BAppSc, GradDipSysAnalys, CT(ASC), FFSc(RCPA) 
Laboratory Manager & Senior Scientist 
Tel: 612 9845 3306 
Fax: 612 9845 3318 
the children's hospital at westmead
Cnr Hawkesbury Road and Hainsworth Street, Westmead
Locked Bag 4001, Westmead NSW 2145, AUSTRALIA 

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Settembre, Dana
Sent: Wednesday, 22 February 2012 10:47 PM
To: 'Jenny Vega'; histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: RE: [Histonet] Does xylene cause skin cancer?

I would be worried too.
Wearing gloves in the lab is always a good practice and I believe, a requirement in my lab whenever handling reagents or the possibility of coming into contact with reagents.
You have the right to wear gloves if you want.

Dana Settembre
University Hospital - UMDNJ
Newark, NJ

-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Jenny Vega
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 10:18 PM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Does xylene cause skin cancer?

I am asking this because in my job we mount slides by hand, and my coworkers don't like to use gloves because it leaves a residue of latex in the back of the slides. I really don't feel comfortable mounting without gloves because I heard that xyelene can cause cancer. Some people I know personally has told me that this is not possible, but I read in some places that xylene could a possible carcinogen.

I have already gotten contact with xylene in my hands a couple of times and I am worried.



Thanks.
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