[Histonet] Histonet Digest, Vol 159, Issue 20Subject: simple tests for xylene contamination and alcohol conc. in Recycled alcohol

[Steve McClain]

Eventually your recycler retort will become contaminated. When you suspect your recycled alcohol product is contaminated by xylene, here is one fairly sensitive yet simple test. 

Use a 100 ml glass graduated cylinder
Add 50ml recycled 95%
Add 50ml water. Shake well.
When xylene is present it will form a thin layer on top. Cover w parafilm and let sit over night. Each ml of xylene=1%

A second test one can do is measure specific gravity by hydrometer in another 50ml sample and graduated cylinder.
Specific Gravity should be about 0.82 to 0.85. 

Steve A. McClain, MD

> On Feb 23, 2017, at 13:22, Steve McClain <SteveM at mcclainlab.com> wrote:
> 
> We only use recycled reagents (except 100%) on processor.
> We only use Fresh reagents on stainer and coverslipper. 
> Steve A. McClain, MD