Embalming Chemicals (Test 3) Flashcards
Material safety and data sheet.
- Tells you hazards of chemicals
MSDS
Amount that will kill 50% of the group to which it is administered.
LD50
Smallest dose that can kill a person.
Minimum lethal dose
The fixation of proteins. (Makes the proteins fixed and firmed).
Conveys the following properties:
- The viscosity is increase
- The tissue is firmer
- The resistance to enzymes is increased.
- Water solubility and sensitivity to hydrolysis is decreased.
Coagulation of proteins
The thickness of a liquid. The state of being thick, sticky and semifluid in consistency.
Viscosity
The movement of fluid from the point of injection to the tissues.
Distribution
Movement of fluid into the tissues.
Diffusion
- LD50
- Minimum lethal dose
- Action level
- Acute effect
- Hazardous chemical
- Health hazard
- PEL (permissible exposure level)
- STEL (Short term exposure limit)
- TWA (Time weighted average)
Information that the MSDS provides
Most of the chemicals involved with embalming are hazardous. This can tell you these hazards.
Importance of the MSDS to embalmers
- Aldehydes, alcohols, phenols, and formaldehyde “donor” compounds.
- Sanitize and preserve.`
- Preservatives
- Inactivate the proteins and amino acids.
- Inhibits further decomposition.
- Inactivates enzymes (proteins).
- Kills microorganisms.
- Destroys odors and eliminates further production (deodorants).
5 major functions of preservatives.
Cross linking the nitrogens:
- imide side chains
- Amino group
- Peptide bonds
- Inactivate the proteins and amino acids.
- Slow down decomposition, but they do not reverse it, nothing can.
- Inhibits further decomposition.
Inactivates enzymes from bacteria (putrefyers) and from your cells (autolytic).
- Inactivates enzymes (proteins)
Alter human tissue, renders the food source for saprophytic bacteria unusable.
- Kills microorganisms
- Alters amines that form from the hydrolysis, deamination, and decarboxylation of proteins during decay.
- The react with the nitrogens in the amines and neutralize them.
- Stop the decay of proteins which stops production of the amines.
- Destroys odors and eliminates further production.
Reacts with proteins to cause coagulation. Increases viscosity, the tissue becomes firmer, and the resistance to enzymes is increased, water soluibility and sensitivity to hydrolysis is decreased.
Formaldehyde
True or false-
Formaldehyde reacts with individual amino acids.
True - Formaldehyde can cross link proteins via the amino acids (the nitrogens).
Dehydration synthesis- Insertion of methalene group and removal of water in amino acids.
How formaldehyde cross links proteins.
- Colorless gas with irritating odor
- Soluble in water (how formalin is made)
- Combines with water to yield methylene glycol
- Polymerizes (paraformaldehyde)
- pH affects it
- basic :salt and methanol
- acidic: polymerizes
- It is neutralized by ammonia
- Cross links proteins
Properties of formaldehyde
Results in rigidity or firmness of tissue.
Cross-linking
Too much water in a system can prevent the proper cross-linking. This is due to the fact that it basically reverses the dehydration synthesis reaction that cross-links (adds the methylene bridges) between amino acids, causing them to break apart rather than come together.
Hydrolysis
The total amount of formaldehyde with which protein will combine to be completely preserved.
Formaldehyde demand
- Progression of decomposition
- Amount of amino acids
- Advanced decomposition
- Presence of urea
Factors that affect formaldehyde demand
More nitrogens are exposed and the formaldehyde demand increases.
Progression of decomposition
This means that there are more sites for formaldehyde to form a union with nitrogens.
More amino acids
These cases have a higher formaldehyde demand and a more concentrated arterial solution is required.
Advanced decomposition
The average body is 150lbs (65.4Kg) and contains about 10.7Kg or protein.
100g of solution requires 4.4g of formaldehyde preservation.
- How much formaldehyde do you need?
- Standard 30 index solution contains 30% formaldehyde
- 1oz = 29.8mL
- 16oz X 29.6mL = 473.6mL of 30 index
- 473.6mL X 0.3 = 142.08g of formaldehyde
- 80g of formaldehyde / 142.08g of formaldehyde =
- 31 bottles needed
If the concentration of formaldehyde is too high, it can seal the capillaries and prevent effective diffusion. Prevents good preservation and can cause the deeper musculature and tissue to go unfixed.
Walling off
- Causes rapid coagulation of blood - it must be thoroughly removed.
- Dehydrates tissues
- Constricts capillaries (issue when you want to inject other fluids after the arterial fluid)
- If pushed through too quickly, not enough formaldehyde will be present to effectively fix tissue (soft spots can form and decompose around fixed tissues).
Issues to consider when using formaldehyde
- Paraformaldehyde
- Trioxane
- Acetylaldehyde, pyruvic aldehyde
- Formaldehyde donors
Other aldehydes that can be used in addition to formaldehyde
A polymer of formaldehyde. Solid and can be used in hardening compounds, powered preparations etc.
Paraformaldehyde
A polymer of formaldehyde. Used in accessory fluids sometimes, but is very expensive and not as cost effective or arterial fluid.
Trioxane
In use in some more modern preparations of arterial fluids.
Other aldehydes: acetylaldehyde, pyruvic aldehyde
Liberate formaldehyde at slow rate (slow-release) low odor or “fumeless”.
- Slow and expensive, but more pleasant to the live people in the room.
Formaldehyde donors
Have two aldehyde groups (C=OH).
Dialdehydes
- Glyoxal
- Gluteraldehyde
Dialdehydes used in embalming
Yellowish in color- only used in cavity fluid.
Glyoxal
Cross links like formaldehyde, but it’s much larger and can’t penetrate tissue as well.
- Unlike formaldehyde, it is not restricted by pH
- Cold sterilant- much more effective at killing endospores than formaldehyde.
Gluteraldehyde
An alcohol that can be used as a preservative.
- excellent preservative and disinfectant
- penetrates into tissues, also bleaches
- stabilizes formaldehyde
- Can act as a vehicle for other compounds
- dehydrates
Methyl alcohol (methanol)
Boost the disinfectant qualities of preservatives, ingredients that function as preservatives also function as these.
- QAC
- Gluteraldehyde
- Phenol
- Disinfectants
- Good disinfectant
- Rapidly absorbed into the skin
- Can assist formaldehyde
- Does not produce firmness
- Bleaching agents
- OK- in cavity fluid, or to lighten discoloration on skin.
Phenol
- Germicidal (disinfecting) qualities
- Inhibit microorganisms as the method of preservation
- Primarily found in cavity fluids since it is not compatible with many dyes and wetting agents in arterial fluids.
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
This is a dialdehyde.
Gluteraldehyde
This is a prototypical aromatic hydroxide.
- It has more acid characteristics than alcohol characteristics.
- The pH is about 6.
Phenol
These are salts of amines, all 4 hydrogens associated with ammonium are replaced with an alkyl group or an aromatic ring.
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
Main purpose is to control the main preservative ingredient (usually formaldehyde).
- Control and slow the fixing of tissues with formaldehyde to permit diffusion through capillaries.
- Slow hardening to allow coloring agents to distribute evenly.
- Modifying agents
- Buffers
- Humectants
- Inorganic salts
Types of modifying agents
The body contains varying levels of acids and bases after death.
- Normal pH is slightly basic (in life)
- Immediately after death, pH is slightly acidic due to the breakdown of carbohydrates.
- Compartments of the body differ in pH so the injected fluids must be buffered.
- pH that is very basic will make formaldehyde decompose into a salt and methanol
- pH that is very acidic will polymerize formaldehyde into paraformaldehyde.
Importance of maintaining a stable pH in embalming
Considered modifying agents because they prevent wild fluctuations in pH when using formaldehyde. (They keep the formaldehyde from decomposing or polymerizing, helps maintain an even preservation).
Buffers
- Borax (sodium borate)
- Carbonates (sodium carbonate, magnesium carbonate)
Types of alkaline buffers
Helps formalin stay around the pH of 7.
- Stabilizes the formalin solutions increasing shelf life
- Reduces the graying effect of formaldehyde
- Can help keep formaldehyde stable for 2 years.
Borax (sodium borate)
Added with borate, it also helps keep the pH at around 7.
- not as effective as borates in extending the shelf life of formalin solutions.
Carbonates (sodium carbonate, magnesium carbonate)
Help retain moistures (most preservatives dehydrate)
- make tissue more pliable and rubbery
- also called “plasticizing agent” because of the pliability.
Humectants
- Glycerin
- Sorbitol
- Glycol
- Emulsified oils
- Gums
Types of humectants
Trihydroxyl Alcohol: good lubricator, solvent, hygroscopic, and if it stays in tissues it prevents over-drying.
Glycerin
Polyhydroxyl Alcohol: lose water more slowly than glycerine and controls moisture loss better.
- more commonly used than glycerin, but at low temperatures, drop out of the solution.
Sorbitol
Dihydroxyl Alcohol: Has similar characteristics to sorbitol
- ethylene glycol
- propylene glycol
Glycol
Moisture retaining and softening material.
Ethylene glycol
Better than glycerin at inhibiting mold.
Propylene glycol
Lanolin, and other oils are held in emulsions to help stabilize them and to help them remain uniform over a long period.
Emulsified oils
When added to water, well and retain moisture. Large size keeps them in the capillary bed where they can restore moisture to the area. (This is good if the viewing is delayed).
- vegetable - cellulose (karaya, tragacanth)
- Synthetic: cellulose like, man made.
Gums
React with ionized calcium preventing blood from clotting.-
- Work 2 ways:
1. Softens water
2. Works directly in the blood
- Anticoagulants
Either combine with Ca= or tie it up to prevent clotting.
Action of anticoagulants
Inhibits soap from killing bacteria.
- The water contains Ca, Mg, or Fe
Hard water
Can be purified by boiling (precipitates insoluble salts) and filtering.
- Water contains Ca(HCO3)2 or Mg(HCO3
)2
Temporary hard water
Can not be purified by boiling, must be a chemical reaction.
- Water contains CaCl2, CaSO4, MgCl2, MgSO4
Permanent hard water
Contains soluble Na+ or K+ salts.
Soft water
Water softeners or anti-coagulants.
- Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate, sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, sodium phosphate)
Softening hard water for arterial fluids
- Citrates
- Oxalates
- EDTA
Types of anticoagulants
Sodium and potassium citrate
- Conditions water and sequesters Ca in blood
- Result from the neutralization of citric acid
- They can act to crosslink Ca+2 in the blood.
- Resulting compound is calcium citrate complex
- water soluble, but not free to interact with blood clotting proteins.
Citrates
Can enhance coagulation when the body is infected with bacterial infections such as S auerus. May cause rapid coagulation.
When not to use citrates
Act as a Ca precipitant in blood.
- Formed from the reaction of dicarboxylic acid and an organic base.
- Not used much because of their toxicity.
Oxalates
Ca chelator. Works directly in the blood and removes the hardness of water.
- Very alkaline, added to the embalming solution at the time of use.
- If added to the embalming fluid, it would cause the formaldehyde to decompose.
EDTA
Used to break the surface tension.
- Surface tension is caused by hydrogen bonding in water molecules.
- Surface tension prevents some liquids from penetrating into a cell
- Used as “wetting agents” to reduce surface tension and allow embalming chemicals to pass through capillary walls and distribute into tissue.
- Surfactants
- Sulfonates
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- Tweens (20 is the most common)
- Detergents
Common surfactants
- Provide restoration
- Adjust tissue color
- Dyes
Color the tissue
Active dyes
Color the fluid in the bottle (no effect on tissues).
Inactive dyes
- Cudbear
- Carmine
- Cochineal
Natural Dyes
- Eosin
- Erythrosine
- Ponceau
- Amaranth
- Croceine scarlet, rhodamine, rose bengal, acid fuscin, toluidine red
Synthetic dyes
- From lichens
- purplish-red color
Cudbear
- From cochineal
- Bright red color
Carmine
- From insects
- Pink/red color
Cochineal
- Red crystalline color
Eosin
Brown powder that form cherry red solutions in water.
Erythrosine
Dark red powder that forms cherry red solutions in water and acidic solutions.
Ponceau
Coal-tar derivative that forms dark red- brown color in water. Is the darkest synthetic dye.
Amaranth
Perfumes or masking agents. Cover up the harsh smell from the preservatives and the disinfectants.
- No attempts are made to completely mask formaldehyde because it typically results in neutralization of the preservative (not a deoderant).
- Perfuming agents
- Synthetic compounds
- Essential oils
Examples of perfuming agents
Release odors resembling spices, fruit, mink, and other “notes”.
Synthetic compounds
Are concentrated from plant sources and are hydrophobic oils that release the volatile scents.
- methyl salicylate, oil of sassafras, safrole, oil of cloves, benzaldehyde (almond). etc.
Essential oils
Deodorants change the smell chemically, perfuming or masking agents just cover up the smell without changing the chemical composition.
Difference between masking agents and deodorants
The solvent that the arterial fluid is dissolved into.
- must not react with formaldehyde or the preservative of choice.
- Must not react with tissue of the cirulatory system.
- Vehicles
- Water
- Methanol
- Glycerine
- To help maintain proper density and osmotic artery activity, arterial fluid may also contain sorbitol, glycol, and other alcohols.
Most popular vehicles
Mixtures of 8 chemical types in various concentrations. The fluids specifically designed for preservation of human remains.
Embalming fluid
Using vehicles to lower the concentration of embalming fluids.
Dilution
Separation of compounds into simpler substances by the action of aerobic microbial and/or autolytic enzymes.
Decomposition
Breaking apart of cells.
Autolytic
Breaking apart of intestinal enzymes.
Protolytic
Decomposition of organic matter, anaerobic splitting of proteins by bacteria and fungi with the formation of foul smelling (amines) incompletely oxidized products.
Putrefaction
Concentrated fluid that must be diluted with water before injection into the arterial system.
Arterial fluid
In-use diluted embalming fluid with other additive chemicals.
Arterial solution
Concentrated embalming fluid injected into the cavities following aspiration.
- Higher formaldehyde demand
Cavity fluid
Fluid injected for purposes other than preservation and disinfection.
Supplemental fluid
Chemicals used in addition to vascular and cavity embalming fluids, most are applied to the body surface.
Accessory fluid
Bed sores.
Dicubitis
When the eye pops out of the socket.
Ennucleation
Two or more elements chemically combined in a definite proportion by weight.
Compound
Physical combination of two or more substances.
- Any proportion
- Substances in these retain individual properties.
Mixtures
Embalming fluids are considered :
Mixtures
Embalming chemicals are considered:
Compounds
- Buffers
- Grade of formalin
- Types of alcohol
- Surfactants
- Anticoagulants
- Modifiers
- Physical features
- Specific gravity
- Surface tension
Things that vary from manufacturer to manufacturer for a commercial 20 index fluid.
- Index
- Amount in the bottle
Things that are always the same from manufacturer to manufacturer for commercial 20 index fluid.
When comparing arterial fluid to arterial solution, which one is diluted and contains other additive chemicals?
Arterial solution
- Arterial fluids
- Embalming fluids
- Preservative fluids
Other names for Vascular fluids
- Vascular fluids
- Cavity fluids
- Supplemental fluids
- Accessory fluids
Types of embalming fluids
- Preservative arterial fluid
- Cavity fluid
Minimum requirements for embalming
28-36 index (anything higher than this would be supersaturated).
- Good for cases with high formaldehyde demand (decomp, high amount of amino groups).
Strong Index
19-27 index
- Good for most cases (ideal case)
Medium index
10-18 index
- Good for most cases (ideal case)
- Good for more fragile cases
Weak index
Contains little or no active dye.
- Good for cases that don’t need a lot of coloration
- Good for when the embalmer wants to use their own dyes.
Non-cosmetic color
Contains active dye
- Good for restoration of color
- Can cover unsavory colors from formaldehyde
Cosmetic color
- Firms quickly
- Good for time management
Fast acting firming speed
- Firms slowly
- Good for careful positioning of the body
Slow firming firming speed
Very little firming of the body
- Good for short-term cases
- More flexible body
Soft Degree of Firmness
Medium firming
- Ideal cases
Mild Degree of Firmness
Definite and hard firming
- Good for a delayed visitation/service
- Keeps position of the body
Hard Degree of Firmness
For adding moisture
- Good for a dehydrated body
Humectant - moisturizing qualities
Does not add moisture
- Good for cases with edema
Non-humectant
Cover or remove discoloration from jaundice.
- usually bleaching fluids
Jaundice fluid - special purpose fluids
Index is greater than 30 (usually supersaturated)
- Extreme edema
- Renal failure
- Extensive decomposition/putrefaction
High- Index special purpose fluids
Arrests and controls microbes that cause tissue gas.
- Clostridium perfringens (creates endospores)
Tissue gas fluids - special purpose fluids
Very mild, usually lower concentration than mild.
- delicate infant tissues
Fluids for infants and children
- Strong
- Medium
- Weak
Index types
- Non-cosmetic
- Cosmetic
Color types
- Fast-acting
- Slow firming
Firming speed types
- Humectant
- Non-humectant
Moisturizing qualities
- Jaundice fluid
- High-index fluid
- Tissue gas fluids
- Fluids for infants and children
Special purpose fluids
Directly injected into the body cavities
- Thoracic
- Abdominal
- Pelvic cavity
- Humectants, dyes, anticoagulants not necessary
- Generally a higher formaldehyde content, usually higher surfactant content.
Cavity fluids
- Preserve, disinfect, deodorize
- Preserve viscera removed upon autopsy
- Can bleach blood discoloration
- Helps tissues not reached by vascular injection
- Surface preserve fetal remains
Uses for cavity fluids
- Pre-injection fluid
- Co-injection fluid
- Internal bleach and stain removers
- Tissue gas co-injection fluids
- Edema corrective fluids
- Germicide boosters
- Humectants
- Water conditioning fluids
- Dyes
Supplemental fluids
Injected before the preservative fluid.
- Used to prepare tissues and remove additional blood.
Pre-injection fluid
Added to preservative to boost one or more of the arterial fluid chemicals.
- Usually modifying agent to help control the preservative.
Co-injection fluid
Bleach blood from postmortem stain, liver spots, etc.
Internal bleach and stain removers
Germicidal and disinfectant for the causative agent of tissue gas. Also good against other endospore forming bacteria.
Tissue gas co-injection fluids
Dehydrate and dry the body.
- Hypertonic to remove edema.
Edema corrective fluids
Increase germicidal effects of arterial fluids.
- Good for a delayed service
- Good for bodies with infections
Germicide boosters
Maintain tissue moisture.
- Good for dehydrated bodies
- Good to control drying effect for formaldehyde
Humectants
Help overcome adverse chemicals in the water.
- Removes hard water
Water conditioning fluids
- Active dye
- Comes in pink, red, suntan
- Good for coloration of the body
Dyes
- Autopsy gels
- Cautery chemicals
- Tissue builders
- Hardening compounds
- Preservative powders
- Mold preventative agents
- Sealing agents
Accessory chemicals
Penetrate and preserve, are viscous
- Topically applied
- Poured over viscera after autopsy
- Applied to orbital socket after ennucleation
- Disinfectant and deoderant
- Surface preservative in cases of decubitis, gangrene, and necrosis
- Bleach discolored areas
- Preserves, cauterizes, and deodorizes burnt areas.
Autopsy Gels
To seal off.
Cauterize
- Primarily made of phenol
- Muse use eye protection (the embalmer)
- Applied to areas where the skin has been removed (burns, abrasions, skin slip)
Cautery Chemicals
- Used after arterial embalming
- Restores natural contours in sunken areas of face or hands
- Do not overfill, it is difficult to remove
Tissue builders
- Dry moist tissue by dehydration
- May contain disinfectants, preservatives and deodorants
- Can be used in cavity of autopsied bodies
- Dicubitis (bed sores)
- Edema
- Paraformaldehyde, plaster of paris, aluminum chloride, clay, wood powder (saw dust)
Hardening compounds
- Paraformaldehyde
- Preserve and disinfect
- Do not absorb or dry like hardening compounds
Preservative powder
- Topically applied (spray and painted)
- Prevents mold
Mold preventive agents
Prevent leakage from sutured incision
- Usually super glue
Sealing agents
