[Histonet] Disposal of Bouin's Solution

[Shirley A. Powell]

I agree it is very dangerous.  When I discovered a dried bottle of picric acid someone had donated to the school right after I first came to the university.  I had to call the fire department and the bomb squad came to get it.  They took it to the firing range and blew a huge sized whole in the ground, this was a small bottle of picric acid.  Of course we made the local news, but get rid of it if possible or keep it under water as Fred says. 
Shirley 

-----Original Message-----
From: Monson, Frederick via Histonet [mailto:histonet at lists.utsouthwestern.edu] 
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2017 2:16 PM
To: Histonet at lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Cc: Bob Richmond <rsrichmond at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Disposal of Bouin's Solution

https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/cci/safety/picric.pdf

Two hazards:  formaldehyde and picric acid (see attached).
While I agree with Dr. Richmond, changing protocols is not easily done.
So.  You may search for appropriate oxidizers of aldehydes.  OR!!!  You may take the reasonable path by sending it off periodically to a company that will cost enough to raise the use of the stuff to serious conversation.  

Picric acid - 
                      since I used it from the late 1950's - the end of our "Dark Ages"[???] - 
                                        into the mid 1970's -the age when students became consumers  and knowing what was on the test was paramount -  
                                                                  IS really hazardous - when it is dry.  [So, I always kept it covered with water (saturated in local conditions.] Picric acid is the reason that you should either stop using Bouin's or waste it (wet!!) to a competent waste-handling company.

Cheers,

Fred Monson (5 weeks to the oblivion called 'retirement.'

-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Richmond via Histonet [mailto:histonet at lists.utsouthwestern.edu]
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2017 6:39 PM
To: Histonet at lists.utsouthwestern.edu
Subject: Re: [Histonet] Disposal of Bouin's Solution

Lori Jones, CT(ASCP), Pathology Supervisor, Ingalls Memorial Hospital asks:

>>We use Bouin's Solution in our pathology department and are currently
disposing of it by neutralizing it with Vytac for formalin. I can't find supporting documentation that this is the proper way to dispose of it. I'd like to know if and how other institutions are neutralizing Bouin's solution.<<

The best way to dispose of Bouin's fixative is by not buying it at all.
What do you use it for? There are substitutes for it for most purposes.

Bob Richmond
Samurai Pathologist
Maryville TN
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