PROTECTING YOUR SKIN CLOTHES, GLOVES, AND TOOLS

PROTECTING YOUR SKIN CLOTHES, GLOVES, AND TOOLS 

Preview This section describes ways to protect your skin from exposure to hazardous chemicals in introductory labs. 

While preparing the mercury NMR standard in a fume hood, Wetterhahn spilled one to a few drops of dimethylmercury. The compound permeated the latex gloves she was wearing and was absorbed through her skin into the bloodstream. 

C E News Report Mercury poisoning fatal to chemist (See Incident 7.2.2.1) 

Many years ago a freshman college student got a part-time job working as a laboratory assistant. One of his first tasks was to prepare a large volume of concentrated NaOH solution. He wore safety glasses, but took no other precautions. Chemical hoods did not exist in these labs. A 2-L beaker was nearly filled with water and the appropriate amount of solid NaOH was added. The solution became very hot and fumed considerably. After cooling, the solution was dispensed. Later in the day he went home and left his clothes to be washed. The next day his mother asked What did you do yesterday I washed your shirt and pants and they came out shredded to pieces.  

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Protecting Your Skin—Clothes, Gloves, and Tools Describes ways to protect your skin... 

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