[NHCOLL-L:2761] RE: Fluid-preserved specimen storage

[Dam, A.J. van (METMED)]

Dear Lenore,

I would not recommend to transfer specimens, that have been preserved for a long time in formalin, to ethanol.
Besides the risk of shrinkage and deformation due to osmotic changes during transfer, salts that have dissolved in the acidified formalin could precipitate on and within the tissue affecting the morphological integrity of the preparation.
I would suggest to do the same as we did with our formalin preserved collections. We replaced the formalin by Kaiserling. This aquous glycerol based fluid is buffered and provides in excellent morphology and has the ability to restore the blood color provided that there is still blood (haemoglobin) present in the tissue. Kaiserling is used succesfully for about 100 years in most pathology collections in Europe.
Very important, Kaiserling is non-toxic and non-flammable! The only disadvantage is that Kaiserling is an expensive fluid compared to formalin and ethanol. On the other hand, you will save lots of money because your storage facility does not need to comply to all the regulations for toxic and flammable liquids. I expect these costs outrun many times the costs for using Kaiserling.
I am now on vacation, but if you want to know more about the protocols we used to transfer our formalin preserved collections, you can contact me when I am back (15 August).

Best regards,

Dries

Andries J. van Dam
Conservator
Co-ordinator ICOM-CC Natural History Collections
Museum of Anatomy
Leiden University Medical Centre
P.O.Box 9602
2300 RC Leiden
Netherlands
Tel: +31715276677
Fax: +31715276680
E-mail: A.J.van_Dam at lumc.nl



I've been asked to supply our director with information concerning a
potential rehousing and refurbishing of our fluid-preserved specimens
(+8,000 gross specimens).  Currently our specimens are primarily stored
in formalin, and I've been asked to plan for a conversion to alcohol.  I
know that there are strict standards regarding air handling, electrical
wiring, fire prevention, etc. that need to be followed in the
configuration of storage areas when alcohol is the preservative.  Is
anyone able to share those standards with me or point me in the right
direction to find them?  Thank you.

Lenore Barbian, PhD
Acting Curator, Anatomical Collections
National Museum of Health and Medicine
Washington, DC
(202) 782-2202


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