I can't believe you work in a pathology lab and ask the question. You need to ask your supervisor or the OSHA. MSDS sheets are available for both. There is NO reason to use both bleach and formaldehyde together with tissue samples, if fact is is very dangerous.
In fact, if someone is using those ingredients, OSHA should be contacted immediately, as a clear violation of the law is being performed.
I work in a pathology lab and need to know what happens when formaldehyde is mixed with chlorine bleach...the chemical formula would be:
H2C(OH)2 + NaClO
Can anybody out there help me, please?
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You may want to note that formaldehyde is H2C=O and not what you have written although what you have written is a gem-diol. Gem-diols are not stable, decompose with the loss of a molecule of water, and H2C=O is left.
The reason I ask the question is that supervisors want use to use these two chemicals in a manner that would mix them...I need citeable documentation that they are dangerous when mixed. MSDS sheets don't address mixing these particular chemicals. If I contact OSHA, it takes the problem outside the work environment before it's appropriately addressed in-house. I work with reasonable people. I just need something to point to...please? If anyone has another suggestion, it would be greatly appreciated.
1 answer