Handling Teratogens in the Laboratory

Such a general procedure is described in the National Research Council report, Prudent Practices for Handling Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories (1), and other books on laboratory safety provide similar advice (2,3). Briefly, the procedure calls for carrying out most laboratory operations in a well-ventilated area (e.g., a fume hood or a glove box) and avoiding skin contact with chemicals. A more detailed description follows. 

A hood is a laboratory s most important safety apparatus. 

Operations should be carried out as far back in the hood as convenient, but at least 5 centimeters (six inches) behind the hood face, as a hood s efficiency rises markedly going from the face to this distance. 

The precautions to be taken will vary with the properties of the chemical. For example, dimethylmercury is volatile (bp 92°C), oil soluble, and flammable. Hence it should be handled well back in a hood, its container should be open as little as possible, gloves of oil-resistant material (neoprene or nitrile rubber) should be worn, the user s front should be protected by a rubber apron if more than a gram or so is used, and no open flame should be nearby. With thalidomide, a solid of negligible volatility and low oil-solubility, prompt stoppering of an opened container would be less important, thin 

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