Chrome pigment can be prevented by washing tissue with water following fixation.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not enough information
• D. Not applicable

Answer: (A)

Chromium-based fixatives can leave chromium salts in the tissue that may precipitate as chrome pigment during processing. Thoroughly washing the tissue with water after fixation helps remove these residual chromium species, so the pigment doesn’t form later on. This is a standard preventive step specifically when chrome-containing fixatives are used, making the statement true. Note that with non-chromium fixatives, chrome pigment isn’t a concern, so washing for this purpose isn’t needed.