2026-02-27
As histopathology laboratories worldwide continue to upgrade their facilities, put-through grossing stations with integrated formalin extraction systems have become a critical component of modern pathology laboratory projects.
Many laboratories built more than a decade ago face similar challenges: aging drainage systems, outdated ventilation designs, and formalin exhaust systems that discharge directly to the roof without proper treatment. Under these conditions, adopting an EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) turnkey approach is the most effective way to achieve safety, compliance, and long-term operational reliability.
Traditional built-in grossing stations often develop the following issues over time:
Severely deteriorated drainage pipelines that are difficult to maintain
Formalin vapors exhausted directly to the roof with limited containment or control
Poor airflow organization, increasing staff exposure risk
Inability to meet current occupational health and laboratory safety regulations
These issues increase operating costs and pose long-term risks to personnel health and regulatory compliance.
Put-through grossing stations are specifically designed for histopathology workflows, enabling a clear separation between clean and non-clean zones while improving operational efficiency.
Key advantages include:
Physical separation between tissue handling and waste removal areas
Reduced cross-contamination risk through optimized workflow design
Easy integration with ventilation, drainage, and safety systems
Compliance with international pathology laboratory standards
When equipped with an integrated formalin extraction system, put-through grossing stations significantly reduce airborne formaldehyde concentration, enhancing user safety.
Formalin is essential for tissue fixation in histopathology, but it is also a hazardous chemical. Modern grossing stations must therefore be equipped with efficient formalin extraction systems.
Key system functions include:
Capturing formalin vapors directly at the source (downdraft or rear exhaust airflow)
Maintaining negative pressure at the workstation to prevent vapor leakage
Preventing formalin spread to adjacent laboratory areas
Safe discharge after filtration or adsorption treatment
Compared to traditional direct roof exhaust systems, integrated extraction systems provide superior control, safety, and regulatory compliance.
In laboratory renovation projects, supplying equipment alone rarely solves systemic problems. The EPC model ensures full integration from design through commissioning.
Laboratory layout optimization
Ventilation and airflow calculations
Drainage system redesign
Electrical and control system integration
Customized put-through grossing stations
Integrated formalin extraction systems
Corrosion-resistant structural materials
Compliance with project and regulatory requirements
Removal of existing grossing stations
On-site installation and system integration
Ductwork, drainage, and electrical connections
Coordinated construction to minimize laboratory downtime
Airflow and extraction performance testing
Formalin containment verification
Functional and safety testing
Delivery of documentation to support audits
This EPC solution is widely applicable to:
Pharmaceutical pathology laboratories
Hospital histopathology departments
Third-party diagnostic laboratories
Research and academic laboratories
After upgrading, laboratories achieve higher safety levels, extended service life, and improved readiness for future expansion.
Professional EPC providers typically offer:
Preventive maintenance programs
Formalin extraction system performance testing
Filter replacement services
Technical support for regulatory audits
These services ensure stable and safe operation throughout the laboratory’s lifecycle.
In modern histopathology environments, upgrading to put-through grossing stations with integrated formalin extraction systems is no longer optional—it is essential for safety and compliance.
Through an EPC turnkey delivery model, laboratories can eliminate legacy risks and establish a modern, regulation-compliant grossing environment, ensuring long-term operational safety and efficiency.