Products and Resources for Category: Laboratory Chemicals and Equipment

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Category/Subcategory Laboratory Chemicals and Equipment Cleaners for Labware Product & Manufacturer Comments Alconox   Alconox 914-948-4040 http://www.alconox.com   Alconox is a less toxic alternative to chromic sulfuric acid for cleaning of lab pipettes and supplies. It is non-acid and chromium-free. Old (very old) Alconox contained mercury as a contaminant - but anything post 1998 is clean. Thanks to Catherine Zimmer of MnTAP for identifying this alternative and Melissa McCullough of Dana Farber Cancer Institute for her input on the possibility of mercury contamination.

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Category/Subcategory Laboratory Chemicals and Equipment Formaldehyde-Free Products Product & Manufacturer Comments Histo-Fix   Trend Scientific, Inc (Division of Richard-Allan) 800-522-7270   Formalin-free fixative; aqueous mixture of pyrrolid-2-one, polyol, urea, and a zinc salt   Contains no mercury, though zinc may have environmental considerations   Product & Manufacturer Comments Mirsky's Fixative   National Diagnostics 404-699-2121 http://www.nationaldiagnostics.com   Formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde free fixative composed of aldehydes   Need to purchase and combine fixative and buffer   Product & Manufacturer Comments Prefer   Anatech Ltd. 800-ANATECH http://www.anatechltdusa.com   Formalin-free fixative; active ingredient is glyoxal (a di-aldehyde) in water and ethanol   Drain disposal may be possible   Product & Manufacturer Comments Shandon Glyo-FixxTM   Thermo Electron (Acquired Shandon, Inc) 800-245-6212 http://www.thermo.com/   Formalin-free fixative; active ingredient is glyoxal (a di-aldehyde) in ethanol, methanol, and acetic acid   Drain disposal may be possible   Product & Manufacturer Comments Uni-Fix(TM)   BBC Biochemical 800-635-4477 http://www.bbcus.com   Formalin-free fixative; active ingredient is glyoxal (a di-aldehyde). It is a substitute for 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin   Drain disposal may be possible

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Category/Subcategory Laboratory Chemicals and Equipment Mercury Removal Equipment Product & Manufacturer Comments SolmeteX(R) Reagent Management System   SolmeteX(TM) 800-216-5505 http://www.solmetex.com   SolmeteX provides mercury removal equipment for clinical laboratories, histology laboratories, pathology laboratories, and research laboratories   The SolmeteX Reagent Management System (RMS) can selectively remove mercury and other targeted heavy metals from the waste stream using SolmeteX patented resins   The RMS product line supports high flow rates and has high contaminant holding capacity. RMS systems are smaller and less expensive than traditional systems, and can be easily installed within available lab space. SolmeteX's adsorbent technology allows the RMS line to provide "end of pipe" solutions for large flows and "point of use" systems to treat smaller flows.

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Category/Subcategory Laboratory Chemicals and Equipment Mercury-Free Products Kaiser Permanente, America's largest not-for-profit health maintenance organization, estimates that based on the percentage of mercuric chloride in average volumes of solution, their change to Z-5 and other mercury-free solutions translates to roughly 10 pounds of soluble mercury eliminated in California each year. While all mercury-based waste was collected for recycling and appropriate disposal, eliminating its use ensures that any possibility of release to the environment is removed. Product & Manufacturer Comments Alpha-Tec Systems PROTO-Fix Parasitology Fixative   Alpha-Tec Systems 360-260-2779 http://www.alphatecsystems.com   Single vial fixative for concentration, permanent stain, EIA, IFA and PCR procedures   Contains no mercury, zinc, copper or other heavy metals   Proto-fix has no controlled hazardous chemicals regulated for disposal or transport   Product & Manufacturer Comments AZF Fixative   Newcomer Supply 800-383-7799 http://www.newcomersupply.com/home.html   AZF (Acetic Zinc Formalin) Working Solution is a replacement for B-5 mercury based fixatives.   Product & Manufacturer Comments B-Plus Fixative(TM)   BBC Biochemical 800-635-4477 http://www.bbcus.com   Replacement for B-5 fixative, contains formaldehyde and zinc   B-Plus is designed to fix lymphoid and hematopoietic tissues without the use of mercury   Contains formaldehyde and zinc. There may be disposal considerations for formaldehyde and zinc. Check applicable regulations for disposal in your hospital   Product & Manufacturer Comments B5 Fixative Modified   Newcomer Supply 800-383-7799 http://www.newcomersupply.com/home.html   B-5 FIXATIVE Modified is a Zinc Chloride-Stock Solution used as an alternative to Mercury Based Fixatives. To use, add Formalin, Acetic Acid or nothing depending on expected results.   Product & Manufacturer Comments Harris Hematoxylin   Anatech Ltd. 800-ANATECH http://www.anatechltdusa.com   Hematoxylin stain with alcohol, acetic acid, Al-ammonium sulfate, sodium iodate   Mercury free   Product & Manufacturer Comments Histo-Fix   Trend Scientific, Inc (Division of Richard-Allan) 800-522-7270   Formalin-free fixative; aqueous mixture of pyrrolid-2-one, polyol, urea, and a zinc salt   Contains no mercury, though zinc may have environmental considerations   Product & Manufacturer Comments Methyl paraben, Propyl paraben, Thymol     For replacement of thimerisol   No direct substitutes are available for thimerisol. However the replacement of thimerisol can be effected by knowing the properties of the solution containing thimerisol and matching those properties with a suitable substitute preservative.   For many solutions, methyl and propyl paraben have been used successfully, as has thymol. Thymol has been used for many years to inhibit microbial growth in stain solutions   (Ref: Health Care Without Harm, Anatech Ltd.)   Product & Manufacturer Comments SAF Fixative   Medical Chemical Corporation (800) 424-9394 http://www.med-chem.com/   SAF (Sodium Acetate Acetic Acid Formalin) is a Mercury free alternative to PVA for Parasitology. SAF fixative is recommended for permanent staining, concentration, EIA, and ELISA procedures.   Product & Manufacturer Comments Shandon Zinc Formal-FixxTM   Thermo Electron (Acquired Shandon, Inc) 800-245-6212 http://www.thermo.com/   Formaldehyde fixative, contains zinc   There may be disposal considerations when using zinc   Contains formaldehyde   Product & Manufacturer Comments Z-5   Anatech Ltd. 800-ANATECH http://www.anatechltdusa.com   Replacement product for B-5, contains formaldehyde and zinc   There may be disposal considerations when using zinc   Contains formaldehyde   Kaiser Permanente reports that regulations applicable to their facilities require segregation of Z-5 for disposal in the same way as alcohol solutions, but at about 10% of the cost of disposing of mercuric chloride. Check applicable regulations for disposal in your hospital   Product & Manufacturer Comments Zenkers Fixative Modified   Newcomer Supply 800-383-7799 http://www.newcomersupply.com/home.html   Zenker's Fixative Modified with Zinc Chloride contains no Mercury   Product & Manufacturer Comments Zinc-PVA parasitology transport vials   Medical Chemical Corporation Carol Santaloci Account Representative 800-252-1125 http://www.med-chem.com   Z-PVA mercury free fixative is a replacement for mercuric chloride PVA   For permanent staining

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Category/Subcategory Laboratory Chemicals and Equipment Solvent Recovery Equipment Dr. Russell Mankes, Associate Professor of the Albany Medical Center points out that Formaldehyde is an EPA regulated hazardous waste (RCRA-U122) if it is in the original container or is not spent. Waste from tissue processors or spent fixative may not be RCRA regulated, but in most areas cannot be discharged to sewers as it adversely affects the bacterial sewage treatment. Besides, Dr. Mankes asks, why would you want to pour money down the drain? Formaldehyde for fixation of tissues is expensive. The Albany Medical College has been recycling formalin since 1995. Between 1995 and 2004, they recycled ~40,000 pounds of formaldehyde waste in one 5 gallon capacity recycling unit. The original equipment cost of ~$10,000 resulted in avoiding $185,000 in disposal costs and $142,000 in chemical purchase costs. Even for a small hospital, this is economically beneficial. Thanks to Dr. Mankes for sharing this information Product & Manufacturer Comments B/R Solvent Recycler   B/R Instrument Corporation 800-922-9206 brsales@brinstrument.com http://www.brinstrument.com   B/R Instrument offers a variety of equipment for recycling waste solvents from the histology and pathology laboratories   Models are available for recycling formalin, xylene, xylene substitute and alcohol   Product & Manufacturer Comments CBG Biotech Solvent Recycler   CBG Biotech 800-941-9484 http://www.cbgbiotech.com   CBG Biotech Recyclers process xylene, xylene substitutes, alcohols, formalin, acetone, and other solvents   Contact the manufacturer for detailed information on performance capabilities and safety standards   Product & Manufacturer Comments CMT Solvent Distillation Systems   CMT Environmental Services, Inc. 800-749-1008 http://cmt-enviro-serv.com   Solvent distillation systems for hospital labs   Recycling of xylene, alcohol, formalin   Product & Manufacturer Comments Creative Waste Solutions Solvent Filters   Creative Waste Solutions, Inc 888-795-8300 http://www.cwsincorp.com   Recycling systems for alcohol, xylene and formalin save money and time on purchasing and disposal of solvents   Alcohol recycling stem uses a gravity filtration process to remove stains, dyes and cellular debris from alcohol   Xylene recycling pads remove stain, alcohol and water from processed xylene. Available for any size or type of stain line   Formalin recycling system uses gravity filtration to remove stains, dyes, and cellular debris from processed formalin   Product & Manufacturer Comments S&G Enterprises, Inc. Vyleater Vial Crusher   S&G Enterprises, Inc. (888) 726-3528 http://www.vyleater.com/   Hospitals report using the Vyleater Vial Crusher to crush methanol containing vials (e.g. thin prep for Pap Smears) in order to remove liquid and disfigure patient information. In some cases, this has allowed hospitals to become small quantity generators, rather than large quantity generators.   A great variety of vials from one quarter to two inches in diameter with metal tops or ornamental closures can be destroyed with ease. The vials may be plastic or in some cases, glass with a plastic coating. Volume reduction is achieved by not only removing the liquid contents but in some cases allowing the remaining plastic to be disposed of as solid waste. Complete destruction is possible with the Enhanced Vyleater as it destroys any identification labels that may contain sensitive product or patient information.   Product & Manufacturer Comments Suncycle Technologies Inc. Alcohol Recycling Cartridges   Suncycle Technologies, Inc. 866-786-2925 http://www.suncycletech.com   Suncycle Technologies, Inc. has developed the Gravity Recycling Alcohol Cartridge (GRAC) system and the Gravity Recycling Alcohol Cartridge for Tissue Processors (GRAC-TP) system. There are three major components; the "dirty" alcohol container, the GRAC filter cartridge, and the "recycled" alcohol container, which are all connected by hoses. Dirty alcohol is simply poured into the "Dirty Alcohol" container. Gravity does the rest of the work of processing the alcohol through the GRAC filter cartridge and collecting it into the "Recycled Alcohol" container. Unattended processing time is approximately 45-60 minutes per gallon (60-75 minutes per gallon for the GRAC-TP). Each GRAC filter cartridge is capable of processing 100-150 gallons of alcohol.   Product & Manufacturer Comments Triangle Biomedical Sciences Solvent Recyclers   Triangle Biomedical Sciences 919-384-9393 http://www.trianglebiomedical.com   TBS offers a line of recycling equipment for the laboratory to recover xylene, alcohol, or formalin.

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Category/Subcategory Laboratory Chemicals and Equipment Xylene-Free Products Product & Manufacturer Comments AmeriClear   Stephens Scientific (Division of Richard-Allan) 616-344-2400   Active ingredient is d-limonene   Limonene may be a sensitizing agent   May require process modification   Product & Manufacturer Comments Clear-Rite 3   Richard-Allan Scientific 800-522-7270   Active ingredient is aliphatic hydrocarbon   May require process modification   Product & Manufacturer Comments Histo-Sol, Histo-Clear, and Histo-Clear II   National Diagnostics 404-699-2121 http://www.nationaldiagnostics.com   Food oil distillates   Product & Manufacturer Comments Pro-Par Clearant   Anatech Ltd. 800-ANATECH http://www.anatechltdusa.com   Ingredients are propylene glycol ether, paraffinic solvent (an aliphatic hydrocarbon)   Some modification to process is likely   Product & Manufacturer Comments Shandon Xylene Substitute (Formerly called Histo Solve)   Thermo Electron (Acquired Shandon, Inc) 800-245-6212 http://www.thermo.com/   A safer, more convenient alternative to xylene for processing, staining and coverslipping. Airborne exposure limit three times safer than xylene (TLV 300 ppm). Virtually odorless aliphatic hydrocarbon – no citrus aroma. Not sensitizing to normal skin. Evaporation rate similar to xylene – slides dry quickly. Greaseless. Can be recycled with solvent recyclers.

 

 

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Resource type Web site Burlington (Massachusetts) Board of Health Website   This website describes mercury management and outreach efforts spearheaded by Todd Dresser at the Burlington Board of Health. The site includes educational materials and case studies describing mercury recovery efforts targeting local businesses, residents, and schools. Don't miss the identification guides for where to find mercury in medical offices, households, and common products.   http://www.burlington.org/health/Mercury.htm   Frequently asked questions about staining, histochemistry, and histotechnology   This list of FAQs was compiled by J. A. Kiernan, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada   http://publish.uwo.ca/~jkiernan/faqlist.htm#HGALTE   MnTAP Laboratory Information   The Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) has an excellent webpage for healthcare laboratories. Their site includes fact sheets, case studies and information on recycling of processing solvents.   http://www.mntap.umn.edu/health/labs.htm   Staining, histochemistry and histotechnology - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)   These FAQs were compiled by J. A. Kiernan, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Canada

 

Note: Information has been provided by the named vendors. The Sustainable Hospitals Project does not endorse any products or take responsibility for the accuracy of the information or for product performance. Contact vendors directly to purchase a product or to obtain more information. This table is a work-in-progress, and feedback may be sent by email to shp@uml.edu or by phone to 978-934-3386.

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