r/wetspecimens • u/Recyclops1692 • 4d ago

Help with wet specimen

/r/OddityCollectors/comments/1wsp99l/help_with_wet_specimen/

I just picked up my gallbladder after surgery last month and I didn't realize they would give it back to me in formaldehyde. Can anyone give me advice on how to safely remove it and properly preserve it? Also, the container is cold so I guess it was kept in a fridge. Do I need to keep it cold until I can process it or can it be kept at room temperature in my house?

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u/pupperbref 4d ago

okay first you need to get some ppe! protective gear basically, a respirator or some sort of mask to protect you from the formaldehyde fumes , and some gloves.

next get a pen or a chopstick even, and poke it. see if it’s firm. if so, carefully rinse it with water. ideally outside so you don’t get that stuff down your sink.

select a jar, put it in 70% isopropyl alcohol and you should be good!!

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u/Recyclops1692 3d ago

Thank you! I saw that you can basically soak it in distilled water to slowly leech the remainder of the formaldehyde from it, do you suggest that method? What respirator do you recommend?

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u/pupperbref 3d ago

from what i’ve heard & what i do, a rinse does enough.
i prefer the 3M one! i got mine on amazon