[Histonet] Are Paraffin Blocks Biohazard

[Elizabeth Chlipala]

Dawn

I think it may be on the OSHA website under the bloodborne pathogen standard - fixed tissue is considered non-infectious and non-hazardous.  Below is what OSHA considers potentially infectious materials and specifically addressed unfixed tissue, fixed tissue would therefore be considered non-infectious.

occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) place workers at risk for infection with bloodborne pathogens. OSHA defines blood to mean human blood, human blood components, and products made from human blood. Other potentially infectious materials (OPIM) means: (1) The following human body fluids: semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, saliva in dental procedures, any body fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood, and all body fluids in situations where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluids; (2) Any unfixed tissue or organ (other than intact skin) from a human (living or dead); and (3) HIV-containing cell or tissue cultures, organ cultures, and HIV- or HBV-containing culture medium or other solutions; and blood, organs, or other tissues from experimental animals infected with HIV or HBV. The following references aid in recognizing workplace hazards associated with bloodborne pathogens.

Liz

Elizabeth A. Chlipala, BS, HTL(ASCP)QIHC
Premier Laboratory, LLC
PO Box 18592
Boulder, CO 80308
(303) 682-3949 office
(303) 682-9060 fax
(303) 881-0763 cell
liz <@t> premierlab.com
www.premierlab.com

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-----Original Message-----
From: histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu [mailto:histonet-bounces <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu] On Behalf Of Dawn Bugge
Sent: Friday, August 08, 2014 12:41 PM
To: histonet <@t> lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: [Histonet] Are Paraffin Blocks Biohazard

Hello Histo World!

Our pathologist for our private GI lab would like me to find out if anyone has done a study to determine if the paraffin blocks, once they have been processed, are considered biohazard.  I have searched high and low and can find many people stating that the blocks are not bioharzard, with the exception of neurological tissue, but they don't state how they know this.
He would like me to reference an actual study to prove that someone has actually looked into this.

Any one know of something like this?  I know common sense would say that once the tissues have been in formalin for hours, than on the processor for hours that the tissue would be non biohazard and completely safe.

Thanks for your help :)

--
Dawn R Bugge HT(ASCP), Lab Manager
Seattle Histology
Dawns Usborne Books Website <http://x3128.myubam.com/> _______________________________________________
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