Paraffin Wax is a crucial substance within histology, supporting multiple processes such as tissue processing, infiltration, and tissue embedding and aiding the creation of specimen blocks for cutting on the microtome.
However, paraffin wax is known to be extremely slippery and ubiquitous which can quickly cause an untidy workspace and also cause issues for technicians if it is not cleaned up properly.
Equipment Functionality and Lifespan
A buildup of wax created by inadequate maintenance or lack of cleaning laboratory equipment after use can block up small openings, tubes, hinges and other components, consequently affecting performance and functionality. However a common cause of thick thin sectioning issues on microtomes is the buildup of wax in the blade holder, and this affects workflow efficiency and quality of sections. Not only does this impact the quality of results, but any damage to the machines can be costly for the lab in service call-outs and process downtime causing backlogs which negatively impact patient outcomes.
Equipment Movement and Stability
Slippery work surfaces and benches caused by wax debris can affect equipment stability when it is in use. For example, if there is low friction or grip between the base of a microtome and the worktable due to wax being on the surface, it can cause the microtome to move when it is operating manually or automatically. This can have a direct impact on the quality of sections produced, and can additionally cause discomfort and inconvenience for users, changing their posture and position or having to move the machine to its right place.
Accuracy and Results
Wax deposits that are on any measurement tools can lead to inaccurate readings and data collection, affecting the accuracy of results.
Slips and Trips
With slips, trips and falls being the most common causes of workplace injuries, paraffin wax can contribute to this with laboratory staff at risk of injury from slipping caused by littering from microtomes, and from the filling and dispensing of embedding centres. This risk can be reduced and managed by protecting lab floors with slip-resistant floor matting such as SafeTread.
Cleaning and Prevention Solutions
It is pivotal to the functionality and safety of your lab that you maintain good cleanliness when it comes to the use of paraffin wax, regularly cleaning up wax and putting preventions in place. Here are a few products that support good housekeeping of your lab and prevent issues being caused by paraffin wax:
Lotoxane
Lotoxane® is the trusted, safe solution for professional degreasing. It’s a non-flammable, near-odourless alternative to the hazardous solvents used for all types of degreasing operations throughout the industry where rapid evaporation is required. Lotoxane® is available in a trigger spray, wipes, aerosol and large capacity solutions to offer easy solutions to cleaning wax off all surfaces.
Lotoxane® successfully removes residues of oils, greases and machine coolant from machine parts, castings, panels and electrical/electronic components with its refined formulation that does not cause any damage to sensitive equipment or components.
PARAGard™
PARAGard™ spray is a liquid paraffin repellent for benchtops and equipment that prevents paraffin wax from sticking to surfaces. PARAGard is a non-toxic, Xylene-free solution, that is safe to use on metal, wood and plastic surfaces. The solution is designed to cover any surface with a protective, repellent coating that makes cleaning considerably easier and saves lab technicians time. Using products such as PARAGard on equipment such as Microtomes and Embedding Centres improves the effectiveness of cleaning, and can help prevent equipment from being damaged by wax.
SafeTread Mats
SafeTread Mats are specially designed floor surfaces that minimise the risk of slips and trips caused by wax within the histology lab. Its unique compounded PVC looped surface traps and contains dirt, wax shavings, debris and any moisture to prevent technicians from slipping. SafeTread can be custom-made to fit any size specification, covering all the necessary areas within the lab.
To learn more about our safety and cleaning products or to place an order, speak to our dedicated team at +44 (0) 844 8080 900 or email labsupplies@solmedialtd.com who will be happy to advise further.