Tissue transfer to pathology labs: under vacuum is the safe alternative to formalin

The time-honoured use of formalin, both as a preserver and fixative for histological processing is encountering increasing criticisms because of toxicity and environmental concerns. Moreover, the declaration recently issued by the International Agency for Research on Cancer [1] which classified formaldehyde as a class 1 carcinogen has definitely increased the request by health authorities, technicians and practicing pathologists to reduce exposure. Such requests contrast with the considerable advantages offered by this safe, chip, reliable fixative. Although it should be acknowledged that in modern pathology laboratories, visitors are not any more met by the permeating flavour of a stingy scent because formalin processing is mostly carried out under aspiration hoods, a critical passage is still represented by the transfer of tissues from the surgical theatre to the pathology lab. Apart from the small biopsies, which are directly collected into pre-filled containers and cause no concern, problems are encountered with the immersion of large specimens and organs into large boxes to be filled with formalin. A list of such problems follows