RE: P-32 exposure

[William Lorenzen <LORENZEN_W@A1.TCH.Harvard.edu>]

          Your concerns are justified.  We have had a number of 
          investigators labeling cells with large (>40 mCi) of P-32 and did 
          work with them to reduce their hand exposure.
          
          I would suggest looking into the possibility of P-33.  If that is 
          not an option I would focus more on the handling of the petri 
          dishes that the stock vial.  The use of remote tools is possible 
          but it can be difficult and spills may be more likely.  We had 
          them work inside a 0.5" Plexiglas work station and then use remote 
          tools for all practical manipulations.  We removed the waste as 
          soon as it was generated (because it sat inside the workstation).
          
          The fabrication of a slanted dish holder is good too.  To pipette 
          the solution one would normally hold the dishes while tipping them 
          in one direction to concentrate the liquid for easy pipetting.  If 
          the dish holder is already slanted then they can keep their hands 
          off it for longer periods.  
          
          Just some suggestions...
          
          William A. Lorenzen
          Children's Hospital
          Boston, Ma 02115
          
          lorenzen_w@a1.tch.harvard.edu

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