Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am trying to preserve several herps and have run into a problem. I want to have my students actually conduct the preservation, but was told that students (high school)are not allowed to have any contact with formalin. We have formalin to use ourselves to preserve animals, but have to look for alternatives if we want student involvement. What is the "next best chemical" to use?

Thanks,
Mike
Sandalwood Gopher Tortoise Reserve

Due to the carcinogenic and reproductive hazards, it's not surprising that high school students aren't allowed to come into contact with it. There are alternatives, but not necessarily safe ones, all pretty much have some type of health hazard. Ethyl alcohol/polyethylene glycol and phenooxyethanol can be used, there are some other "aldehydes", but I would think they have the same as formalin.
Hope this helps.