Lack of asbestos contamination of paraffin

Objective.-To investigate possible asbestos contamination of paraffin and m igration by asbestos fibers during the tissue-embedding process. Design.-Three sample categories were included in the study: (1) commerciall y available paraffin samples; (2) procedural control samples, which were pr epared by processing the paraffin through the use of standard solvents and instruments; and (3) samples taken from areas adjacent to embedded tissue a nd evaluated for migration of asbestos from the tissue into the surrounding paraffin. The analysis of collected material from all samples was performe d with analytical transmission electron microscopy. Results.-Only one extremely small tremolite fiber was found in any of the c ommercially available samples of paraffin. No asbestos fibers were found ei ther in the procedural control samples or in the samples taken adjacent to the embedded lung tissue. Conclusions.-First, it was extremely unlikely that any of the commercial pa raffin samples would have skewed data due to embedded tissue. Second, the p rocessing and instrumentation was not found to contribute asbestos material to the paraffin during the preparations, Finally, embedded tissue that con tained high numbers of fibers, both uncoated fibers and asbestos bodies, di d not contribute asbestos to the adjacent paraffin.