Frequently Asked
Questions

RDO Rapid is our flagship, fast-acting decalcifier designed for routine bone and tooth decalcification with consistent performance. RDO Gold is a premium, gentler formulation intended for delicate specimens where morphology preservation is the top priority.

Most RDO products are available in 1-gallon containers and 4x1-gallon cases. If you need additional packaging options for your lab, contact our team.

RDO Lab Grade Decalcifier is the same proven RDO chemistry, packaged and positioned for laboratories that require an international-friendly purchasing and shipping pathway. Contact us for availability and shipping options.

Yes. Safety Data Sheets and supporting technical documents are available upon request. If you need a document for your compliance binder, contact our team and we’ll help.

Orders ship quickly once processed. Delivery time depends on carrier service level and destination. If you have a deadline, contact us and we’ll help identify the best option.

Yes, international shipping is available for qualifying orders and destinations. Contact us with your country and preferred delivery timeline so we can confirm the best shipping route.

Shipping costs vary based on order size, destination, and service level. You’ll see shipping options at checkout (or contact us for a quote for large or urgent shipments).

Once your order ships, you will receive an email with tracking information. You can also contact our customer service team at 630.820.8888 for order status updates.

We accept major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), purchase orders from established institutions, and wire transfers for large orders. Net 30 terms are available for qualified accounts.

We recommend a minimum ratio of 20:1 (volume of RDO to volume of tissue). This ensures adequate solution for complete decalcification without exhausting the reagent. For dense cortical bone, a higher ratio may be beneficial.

Decalcification time varies based on tissue type, size, and density. Small bone biopsies may complete in 1–4 hours, while larger specimens like femoral heads may require 24–72 hours. Always use an endpoint test to confirm completion.

RDO works optimally at room temperature (20–25°C). Using RDO at elevated temperatures is not recommended as it may compromise tissue morphology.

We recommend the physical flexibility test (bending the tissue) for routine specimens. For more precise determination, chemical endpoint testing with ammonium oxalate or calcium detection methods can be used.

For optimal results, we recommend using fresh RDO for each batch of specimens. Reusing solution may lead to inconsistent results due to reduced decalcifying capacity.

Yes, RDO is formulated to preserve antigenicity for most common IHC markers. However, some sensitive antigens may be affected.

RDO decalcification should be performed prior to automated processing. Once decalcification is complete and specimens are thoroughly rinsed, they can be processed normally.

Acid-based decalcification can affect nucleic acid quality. For specimens intended for molecular studies, we recommend shorter decalcification times and protocol validation.

Specimens should be adequately fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin before decalcification. Fixation time depends on tissue size but typically 24–48 hours is sufficient.

RDO-decalcified tissues are compatible with H&E and most routine special stains. Some specialized stains may require protocol optimization.