[Nhcoll-l] Formalin and glass vials

Wed Mar 3 13:37:04 EST 2021

Hi Mandy,

sounds to me like weathering of the glass surface (dish-washer effect); 
likely as Simon indicate triggered from low pH of the formaldehyde 
solution (and potential secondary reactions).

If this is para-formaldehyde, it should look like a needle-like crystals 
or a crystalline precipitation on the glass surface, but judging from 
your description it seems to be glass corrosion (especially occurring in 
less chemically inert in soda-lime glass).

If this is the case, you can't brush it off; if the jars are still 
stable, you may use them to store specimens in with less polar 
preservation fluids (we have some poor post-WWII cylinders with clear 
signs of weathering which still do their job).

My two cents

Hope this helps
Dirk

Am 03.03.2021 um 16:16 schrieb Simon Moore:
> Hi Mandy,
>
> If this is a formalin residue then it’s likely a para-formaldehyde 
> polymer. If so, then it will gradually dissolve away in preserving 
> strength alcohol but it takes a week at least.
>
> If not, then it might also be a reaction, over time, of the formalin 
> with the glass whereby the formalin slowly leaches alkali from the 
> glass. If this is the case, then I’m regretfully stumped but someone 
> else may know better!
>
> With all good wishes, Simon
>
> Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR
> Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian,
>
> www.natural-history-conservation.com 
> <http://www.natural-history-conservation.com>
>
>
>
>
>> On 3 Mar 2021, at 05:59, Mandy Reid <Mandy.Reid at Australian.Museum 
>> <mailto:Mandy.Reid at Australian.Museum>> wrote:
>>
>> Hi
>> I am wondering if anyone has a simple method for cleaning glass vials 
>> that have become clouded or appear to contain flaky reside after they 
>> have been in formalin solution for some time.
>>
>> We are currently switching our specimens from formalin to ethanol and 
>> don’t want to wastefully discard reusable glass that is still intact 
>> and strong, but clearly etched in formalin solution over time.
>>
>> I am currently trying dilute bleach. Any other suggestions other than 
>> a lot of scrubbing?
>>
>> Thanks
>> Mandy
>>
>>
>> Dr Mandy Reid
>> Collection Manager | Malacology
>> Australian Museum  1 William Street Sydney NSW 2010 Australia
>> T 61 2 9320 6412 M 61 431 829 842
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