AN UPGRADATION TO MINIMIZE HAZARDOUS EFFECTS IN HISTOPATHOLOGICALLABORATORIES: CEDARWOOD OIL AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO XYLENE

Background: In traditional histopathology, xylene is used as a clearing agent following haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of tissue sections. However, xylene presents significant health risks, prompting the search for safer alternatives. Essential oils, including cedarwood oil, have been proposed as potential replacements. This study evaluates the efficacy of cedarwood oil as a clearing agent compared to xylene. Aim: To assess the clearing effectiveness of cedarwood oil as an alternative to xylene in routine haematoxylin and eosin staining. Materials and Methods: Twenty paraffin blocks from routine biopsy specimens were used. Cedarwood oil, sourced from a local organic supplier, was tested alongside xylene. Paraffin sections (4 microns) from each block were cleared using either 8% cedarwood oil or xylene and subsequently stained with H&E. The quality of staining was evaluated based on nuclear and cytoplasmic detail, clarity, and uniformity. Results: Cedarwood oil demonstrated a significant correlation with xylene concerning all assessed staining parameters. Conclusion: Cedarwood oil is a viable, eco-friendly, and safer alternative to xylene for use as a clearing agent in histopathological laboratories.