Safety ethidium bromide

LABORATORY CHEMICAL SAFETY SUMMARY ETHIDIUM BROMIDE ... 

Ethidium bromide (lOmg/mL) (as a possible carcinogen, adequate safety precautions must be taken). 

National Research Council. Prudent Practices in the Laboratory Handling and Disposal ef Chemicals. Appendix B Laboratory Chemical Safety. Summaries—Ethidium Bromide, National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC, 1995, pp. 310—311. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in the Lab atory—29 CER 1910.1450 available at http //www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show document p table=STANDARDS p id=10106 (accessed August 28, 2009). 

Bands are visualized by soaking the gel briefly in a solution of ethidium bromide or some other specific dye. In the case of ethidium bromide, the dye intercalates between base pairs. Ethidium bromide fluoresces under ultraviolet light, which facilitates detection. The size and distribution of bands can then be compared with a control that contains multiple fragments of DNA with known sizes. It should be noted that ethidium bromide is a powerful mutagen and, thus, is a significant safety concern. 

CAUTION Ethidium bromide is a carcinogen. Always wear gloves and safety glasses when handling. 

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