Chemical Hazards

Routs of exposure include absorp on through skin (dermal contact) or eyes, inges on (usually by way of contamina on), inhala on,
and injec on. Hazard informa on is communica on through Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and GHS pictograms.

General Rules
Treat everything in the lab at least as an irritant and ammable, but if you do not know, act as if it is a severe health hazard, aqua c
hazard, and corrosive. Never get chemicals on your skin, but rinse with cool water if it does happen. Never touch your face or
personal items while wearing gloves, and wash your hands when you take your gloves o , since they are only a temporary barrier.

Irritant
Avoid direct exposure (such as inges ng, inhaling, or direct skin or eye contact) using basic PPE. Wear a lab coat (recommended in
case of contact with clothing), gloves, and safety glasses. Do not touch skin, face, or eyes with gloves. Wash hands a er removing
gloves.

Flammable
Can be quite hazardous, but preventable by proper hea ng techniques - no open ames in the lab, do not do anything to cause
sparks to form, and keep all hea ng elements to the lowest heat se ng possible. Never leave heated chemicals una ended and do
not allow ammable liquids to boil dry. These are o en vola le substances that may give o irrita ng vapors.
Examples: low weight alcohols (methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol), ether, low weight alkanes such as hexane, ethyl acetate, acetone

Health Hazard
More serious health issues can arise when handling these chemicals. Take all the same precau ons as you would when handling
irritants and in addi on, use the smallest amount of these reagents needed, work under a hood as much as possible, keep containers
covered, and dispose of contaminated PPE before moving around the lab. Wash hands immediately. These include more speci c
hazards such as carcinogens and teratogens.
Examples: halogenated substances like dichloromethane (methylene chloride) or chloroform, pyridine,

Corrosive
These chemicals are most likely to result in burns when in contact with exposed skin, severe eye damage, and damage to metals
(electronics), fabric, and paper. Corrosive chemicals can eat holes through man-made fabrics and will char paper. Always wear gloves
and safety glasses before approaching the bo le, be mindful of what you touch while wearing gloves, and wash hands a er removing
gloves. These o en have irrita ng fumes or vapors as well. If in contact with skin, rinse with water. Neutralize spills before wiping
up.
Examples: sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide

Acute toxicity
Chemicals that can cause adverse e ects with a single dose or several doses over a short period of me. Take extra precau ons when
handling acutely toxic compounds by checking compa bility of gloves, using the smallest amount possible, keeping chemicals in the
hood, and traveling with them the shortest distance possible. Immediately remove gloves and wash hands a er handling these
chemicals.

Environmental hazard
Usually hazardous to the aqua c environment. Every e ort should be made to avoid this chemical entering the drains. Rinse this
chemical out into the hazardous liquid waste jar with acetone or water if needed.

Explosives
Self-reac ve or peroxides. Self-reac ve chemicals can result in runaway reac ons which lead to large amounts of heat and energy
being expended. Peroxides are unstable and the crystals of peroxides are explosive. Chemicals that are capable of forming peroxides
must be checked periodically.

Oxidizers
Chemicals that react easily with organic material (reducers); severe re hazard if mixed with organic material. These agents cause or
enhance combus on.

Gas cylinder
Must always be secured to a stable surface (such as a wall) and transported with an appropriate cart. The pressurized containers can
cause extreme damage if the gas is not released in a controlled manner. (Mythbusters did a segment with one.)
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 Lab Safety and Notebook Rules

1. General Safety and PPE

a. Wear ANSI Z87.1 or higher safety glasses with impact and splash protec on AT ALL TIMES
b. Dress in appropriate lab a re
c. Shoes need to cover feet en rely, heels and tops included
d. Observe proper glove usage protocols at all me
i. wear gloves only while handling chemicals
ii. do not touch communal items, personal items, or food or drink while wearing gloves
iii. if in the hallway, take one glove o to touch handles
iv. if acid gets on gloves, rinse with water then throw away in trash
e. Wear a lab coat as instructed by TA
f. Do not remove the lab coats from the lab at any me
g. Keep chemicals o of the work tables
2. Review the Lab Safety Agreement for addi onal details including
a. no mouth pipe ng
b. do not taste or drink any of the chemicals
c. do not remove chemicals from the lab
d. do not use the chemicals for anything other than as outlined in the experimental procedure or lab instructor
3. Keep the oors clear at all mes
a. personal items must be in the cubbies or in the designated lab space
b. no food or drink on surfaces outside of the cubbies at any me – take them to the hallway to consume
4. During lab, alert your TA to any poten al safety concerns such as
a. spills
b. smoke or ame
c. uncontrolled boiling
d. broken glass
5. Anyone feeling unwell should sit and alert the TA or the nearest person to get the TA. If possible, go into the hallway. Have
someone escort you. Remove gloves and lab coat as soon as possible.
6. Before leaving
a. return all communal items to the appropriate loca on
b. turn o vacuum and hood light
c. make sure all surfaces are wiped down with ethanol solu on
d. make sure all trash is in the trash can
e. ensure your drawer is closed and locked
7. Your TA needs to sign your notebook before you leave

Notebooks
8. Notebooks must include the chemical hazard descrip ons, GHS pictograms, waste disposal guidelines, and these rules
9. Must have pre-lab completed before lab start me
10. No one may do the experiment without the procedure and hazards in their notebook
11. All data taken in lab must be recorded in your notebook in pen
12. Record measurements and observa ons as they happen
13. All printed items must be taped in with no overhanging edges
14. If a mistake is made, draw a line through it and ini al. No white out or scribbling over it.
15. Procedures must follow the two column format – one column for procedure and adjacent column for observa ons. Pages
may be considered as columns as long as they face each other (i.e. le page procedure and right page observa ons)
16. TAs will grade
a. your pre-lab for comple on and content
b. your in-lab performance regarding adherence to safety, clean-up, and overall engagement with the experiment
17. and TA’s will con rm your data used in the post-labs was recorded in your lab notebook
18. Points may be deducted for failure to obtain or record data during the lab
19. Notebooks will be the source of informa on for the pre-lab quizzes and the nal notebook exam. Failure to a end an
experiment does not excuse you from comple ng the pre-lab in your notebook
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 Health Aqua c
Flammable Corrosive Irritant Other Precau ons and Disposal
Hazard Hazard

SAFETY GLASSES ALWAYS

✓ Gloves;
Acetone Flash ✓
eyes SAA Liquid Waste
-17.0°C
Water Sink if uncontaminated

✓ May damage Gloves;

Methyl ✓ ✓ Do not fer lity or SAA liquid waste
Salicylate eyes skin
ingest fetus Rinse with acetone in SAA
* only rinse in sink when solu on is dilute and only trace residue remains
** always wash hands a er handling chemicals even a er wearing gloves

Health Aqua c
Flammable Corrosive Irritant Other Precau ons and Disposal
Hazard Hazard

SAFETY GLASSES ALWAYS

✓ Gloves;
Acetone Flash ✓
eyes SAA liquid waste
-17.0°C
Water Sink if uncontaminated

✓ May damage Gloves;

Methyl ✓ ✓ Do not fer lity or SAA liquid waste
Salicylate eyes skin
ingest fetus Rinse with acetone in SAA

✓ Gloves;
Sodium Damages
skin & SAA liquid waste
Hydroxide metals
eyes Rinse with water in sink

✓ Gloves;
Sulfuric Acid Damages
skin & SAA liquid waste
H2SO4 metals
eyes Rinse with water in sink
Gloves; avoid dust
✓ May damage
SAA solid waste
Salicylic Acid ✓ ✓ Do not fer lity or
eyes & skin allergy Rinse with acetone in SAA
ingest fetus
Rinse with water in sink
* only rinse in sink when solu on is dilute and only trace residue remains
** always wash hands a er handling chemicals even a er wearing gloves
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