[Histonet] Bouin's in microwave

[Barry Rittman]

Rebecca
I want to thank you for pointing out some of the dangers of picric acid and
also of  formalin fumes.
One of the major problems we have in labs today is that although we have
product sheets for chemicals most people do not read them and assume that
if a material is in common use it is probably safe. I think that many
technicians are not instructed on potential dangers of the chemicals they
use.  I was trained to regard all chemicals as potentially dangerous and to
find out about the chemicals I would use before I started to use them.
This may seem neurotic to some people but it stood me in good stead. A
point to remember is that the chemical or process that is stated as being
safe today  may be shown in the future to be hazardous.  For many chemicals
the period of time it has been in use is small and long term
effects unknown.
 I remember in Iowa when our house was insulated with expanded foam in the
walls.  At that time the process was said to be safe, however later the use
of formaldehyde to set the plastic was deemed to be hazardous. One good
unexpected consequence for us was that it euthanized in place a large nest
of carpenter ants that had resisted all normal attempts at eradication.
Rebecca thank you once again, keep safe.
Barry



On Wed, Feb 12, 2014 at 2:53 PM, Riesen, Rebecca <Rebecca.Riesen <@t> hma.com>wrote:

> Seems I've mis-spoken on this one.  I realize that Bouin's is only
> explosive when dried, but drying could occur during the process of
>  microwaving.  Also, we use Saturated picric acid for our mordant rather
> than Bouin's to also not have the exposure to the formalin fumes associated
> with another Bouin's Solution ingredient.  Yet another reason not to
> microwave "Bouin's".  Hopefully you have Great ventilation for your
> microwave if you choose to engage in this practice.
>
> Rebecca S. Riesen, HT, ASCP
> Histology Supervisor
> PRHS Naples, FL
> 239-348-4327
> rebecca.riesen <@t> hma.com
>
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