Problems and Solutions in Histological Technique

Problems in Histopathological Technique

Prepared by

ROY ELLIS

IMVS Division of Pathology

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Woodville Road, Woodville, South Australia 5011

Did you know that in these days of tightening budgets silica gel can be used to remove water from most dehydrants and so prolong their useful life? So if you have a problem with your budget - and who doesn't?

The procedure is:

To layer approximately 10mm silica gel across the bottom of the container used for holding the dehydrant.
Water removed from tissue by the dehydrant is then removed from the dehydrant by silica gel allowing the dehydrant to continue to act more efficiently for longer periods of time.
Once the silica gel is saturated with water it can be removed from the dehydrant and restored in a hot oven so that it can be re-used many times.

BUT – crystalline silica, from which the gel is made, is listed by IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) as a carcinogen because it contains chromium as a contaminant. So be warned - that inoffensive silica gel packs a hidden punch.

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