Hi Clara,

You may want to consider contacting NSH (National Society for
Histotechnology) for their assistance in preparing a questionnaire to
distribute to its members that are in laboratories that utilize those
chemicals you reference in your e-mail below.  You can get the contact
information for the NSH office at www.nsh.org  .

Regards,

Jason

 

 

Jason Burrill

Sr. Manager, Histology and Laboratory Safety

Research Animal Diagnostic Services

Charles River

251 Ballardvale St

Wilmington, MA 01887

Office: 781-222-6152

Fax: 978-988-8793

jason.burrill**At_Symbol_Here**crl.com

www.criver.com  

 

Accelerating Drug Development. Exactly.

 

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-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of
Clara Rosalia Alvarez
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 5:25 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Alternative assessment study

 

         Dear ACS Div-CHAS members,

         

          We are planning to do an alternatives assessment study to

substitute or reduce the use of H2E (AHA/EPA) high priority laboratory

chemicals in Clinical Laboratories. We have a direct contact with the

American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Therefore to focus in
ASCP

programs is convenient (main reason to study clinical labs).

         

         H2E (AHA/EPA) high priority laboratory chemicals list includes

acetone, americlear, Arsenic, Carbon tetrachloride Chloroform, Chromic
acid,

Chromium trioxide,  Di (ethylhexyl)phtalate (DEHP), Ethanol,
Formaldehyde,

Mercuric chloride,  Mercuric nitrate, Mercuric oxide,  Mercury

((o-carboxyphenyl)thio)ethyl sodium salt    (Thimerosal), Methyl
alcohol,

Phenylmercuric acetate (PMA), Phenol, Potassium cyanide,  Potassium

ferrocyanide,  Sodium azide, Sodium cyanide, 1,1, trichloroethane and

xylene.

         

         I have had some interviews with clinical lab managers and
Clinical

Sciences Professors. One opinion is that if these chemicals are
currently in

use is because safer alternatives may not exist. I think that this is
not

necessarily true. My sense is that automation and the use of diagnostic
test

kits have reduced many exposures to toxic chemicals but it can be more

opportunities for substitution.

         

         We also did a pilot survey and ask clinical laboratory managers

about the use of H2E (AHA/EPA) high priority laboratory chemicals and

associated tests. According to our experience from this pilot survey, we

found that we need to do more specific questions if we want to get
response

from them. I mean, we need to ask close ended questions and give to the

survey participants a list of tests or processes where these chemicals
are

used, so they only have to mark the response. 

         

         The point is to find out where these H2E AHA/EPA high priority

laboratory chemicals are currently in use in clinical labs and identify
the

associated test(s)or process(es). As I have been working on this idea I
have

not found good information to establish the most frequently tests or

processes where these chemicals are used in Clinical Labs.

         

         Pathology lab would be an opportunity to study due to the use
of

high volume of solvents; however, some work has already been done with
the

main chemicals used there (i.e. Xylene and formaldehyde). 

         

         Does anyone have any advice? 

 

Rossy Alvarez

Doctoral candidate

Work Environment Department

UMASS-Lowell

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