Safety in the Laboratory

All persons being exposed to chemicals have to be instructed about the effects of dangerous substances (toxicity, point of ignition, etc.) as well as about preventive measures. Especially the following points are relevant  

When conducting a reaction or distillation under a continuous flow of nitrogen or argon rather than in a closed system, a suitable outlet valve must be used in order to prevent back-diffusion of oxygen into the apparatus from the surrounding air. In the simplest cases, it is sufficient to use a Bunsen valve (a rubber tube with two lengthwise slits, closed at one end with a glass rod), or a paraffin oil valve. 

If small volume experiments are carried out under exclusion of oxygen, an approved method is to use a balloon filled with inert gas attached to an otherwise closed apparatus. Likewise, using a balloon can easily compensate for changes in pressure. It is also recommended to use glove boxes when smaller amounts are to be handled under an inert gas. 

When working with spontaneously inflammable substances (e.g., organome-tallic compounds) or with reactions on a larger scale, where there are rapid changes of pressure, it is advantageous to employ a backstop valve. 

Agents for the drying of liquids must, of course, be chemically inert, as otherwise undesired side reactions could occur (e.g., styrene polymerizes explosively on contact with concentrated sulfuric acid at room temperature). 

All persons being exposed to chemicals have to be instructed about the effects of 

---

In the past ten years laboratory workers have become increasingly conscious of safety in the laboratory environment. We have therefore in three places in Chapter 1 (pp. 3 and 33, and bibliography p. 52) stressed more strongly the importance of safety in the laboratory. Also, where possible, in Chapters 3 and 4 we draw attention to the dangers involved with the manipulation of some hazardous substances. 

Column selection high performance liquid chromatography Electrical safety in the laboratory Flammable and explosive Instrumentation of HPLC (slide show and discussion)... 

Chemical laboratories are potentially dangerous wo places and accidents in the laboratory can have serious and tragic consequences. However, if you are aware of potential hazards, and work with due care and attention to safety, the risk of accidents is small. Some general guidelines for safety in the laboratory are presented in this section. In addition to these principles you must be familiar with the safety regulations in force in your area and the rules and guidelines applied by the administrators of your laboratory. 

S.K. Hall, Chemical Safety in the Laboratory, Lewis Publishers, 1993. ISBN 9780873718967. 

Copublished by the American Chemical Society and the ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety, this magazine focuses on news, information, and ideas relating to issues and advances in chemical health and safety in the laboratory. Articles provide in-depth views of safety issues ranging from OSHA and EPA regulations to the safe handling of hazardous waste, and from research or the latest innovations in effective chemical hygiene practices to the courts most recent rulings on safety-related lawsuits. 

---