[Histonet] formalin managment--what about recycling?

Fri Jan 13 12:49:05 CST 2012

Ditto Renee!

Debbie M. Boyd, HT(ASCP) l Chief Histologist l Southside Regional Medical 
Center I 
200 Medical Park Boulevard l Petersburg, Va.  23805 l T: 804-765-5050 l F: 
804-765-5582 l dkboyd <@t> chs.net

Rene J Buesa <rjbuesa <@t> yahoo.com> 
Sent by: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
01/13/2012 12:56 PM

To
"histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu" <histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>, 
Cheryl <tkngflght <@t> yahoo.com>
cc

Subject
Re: [Histonet] formalin managment--what about recycling?

I am absolutely opposed to formalin recycling because the least you are 
exposed to formalin, the better.
When you buy specimen containers prefilled with formalin, your exposure is 
minimal.
If after that you start collecting the used formalin into larger 
containers and recycle it your exposure increases ddramatically.
The worst case scenario is recycling by distillation when, after the 
formalin is recycled, you have to check the pH and add the salts to 
neutralize it.
Any recycling method used involves that you will have to keep dealing with 
it while filling the specimen containers.
If there was a "stingy" histology manager that was me, BUT I never traded 
a few dollars savings for my staff safety.
There is no savings that can compensate for the dangerous exposure to 
formalin.
Use it the least, in the least amounts possible (2:1 is enough), in very 
well ventilated areas and pay somebody to take it away.
That is how I feel about it.
René J.

--- On Fri, 1/13/12, Cheryl <tkngflght <@t> yahoo.com> wrote:

From: Cheryl <tkngflght <@t> yahoo.com>
Subject: [Histonet] formalin managment--what about recycling?
To: "histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu" 
<histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu>
Date: Friday, January 13, 2012, 12:29 PM

Now I'm curious.  We all struggle with what is okay to go down the drain 
vs. what we're willing to put down the drain (I don't like dumping xylene 
substitues even when my water district says I can-- I like fish that swim 
right-side up! )

Can someone comment on the recycling programs out there for formalin and 
the costs vs. commercial waste haulers?  Is the end product worth the 
effort?

Thanks!

Cheryl Kerry, HT(ASCP) , Histology Recruiter
Full Staff Inc. 
Staffing the AP Lab by helping one GREAT Tech at a time.  
281.852.9457 Office
800.756.3309 Phone & Fax 
admin <@t> fullstaff.org 

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