[Nhcoll-l] Test for formalin

[Mandy Reid]

We are about to embark on a project in our Malacology collection at the Australian Museum to transfer all our formalin stored specimens to ethanol. The formalin specimens are in 5%-10% formalin/seawater solution. Not all specimen lots are stored in formalin, and the preservative is unknown for some, particularly historic material.

Our routine test is to determine whether the storage solution is miscible with water when a few drops are placed on dish or tray (therefore formalin), whereas an alcohol solution will 'repel' a water droplet. This test is not always clear and ideally I would like to use something like test strips, or a stain solution that would give a quick and clear result. I understand that Schiffs reagent works, but that is also a carcinogen.

I have an excellent paper that gives a method of making test strips: Waller, R. (1987). A spot test to distinguish formalin from alcohol solutions. Curator, the Museums Journal. 240-249.

I am wondering whether anyone can recommend commercially available test strips that would be suitable? (Or some other method.) The strips that I have investigated online seem to be used mainly to test contaminated water samples and are too sensitive for our needs.

Thank You!

Dr Mandy Reid

Collection Manager, Malacology | Australian Museum Research Institute
Australian Museum  1 William Street Sydney NSW 2010 Australia
T 61 2 9320 6412 | M 61 431 829 842 | F 61 2 9320 6253

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