What is a notable characteristic of xylene as a clearing agent?

Xylene is widely used as a clearing agent in histopathology due to its effective ability to remove alcohol from tissue specimens and prepare them for embedding in paraffin. A notable characteristic of xylene is its highly inflammable nature, which poses safety risks in laboratory settings. Additionally, when xylene is subjected to prolonged use, it can become milky. This cloudiness can indicate the presence of moisture or the formation of xylene hydrates, which can impact its effectiveness in the clearing process. The combination of these properties—flammability and potential changes in clarity—highlights the importance of handling xylene with care and awareness in a histopathology lab. Understanding this characteristic helps histotechnologists ensure the quality of tissue processing and maintain a safe working environment.