Safety in an EM Lab

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Safety in an EM Lab
Chemicals Common chemicals Handling Disposal,
waste management Cleaning and exposure Equipmen
t Radiation Electrical safety Servicing Physic
al and Mechanical Hazards
Read Chapter 21 in Bozzola text!
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Primary Hazard Color Code Flammables Red
Toxics/Health Blue
Reactives/Oxidizers Yellow Contact
Hazards White General Gray,
Green, Orange
Many labs color code bottles to aid in segregated
chemical storage. The assignments given above
are standard for most labs and are based upon
chemical manufacturers color code designations.
Liquids should also be stored away from solids.
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Chemicals found in an EM lab
Aldehydes (glutaraldehyde, paraformaldehyde) Carc
inogenic, allergies, sensitivity Minimize
exposure to fumes Cacodylate salts 50
arsenic Carcinogenic, toxic Readily absorbed
through skin (garlic taste) Osmium tetroxide
(osmic acid) Toxic, irritant, volitile Spills
reduced to metallic osmium with corn oil or Na
Ascorbate powder, then cat litter to pick up.
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Acetone and alcohols Used as solvents,
dehydrants and cleaners Flammable- keep in
flammables cabinet Toxic Chemicals dissolved in
them can penetrate skin Propylene oxide Highly
flammable Carcinogen Picric acid Dried salts
explosive Resin Components Carcinogenic Allergi
c reactions when using antihistamines Heavy
metal salts (lead and uranium) Toxic Carcinogeni
c
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MSDS Sheets
Information regarding Basic chemical
makeup Hazards and treatment Handling and clean
up Transportation Obtained from Original
vendor On-line University Env.
Safety (http//www.esd.uga.edu/)
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Handling
Wear Gloves Lab coat Dust mask Closed toe
shoes Work deep in ventilation
hood Measuring New spatula for each
chemical Minimize dust Have clean-up equipment
available All spills are hazardous waste Clean
after yourself !
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Disposal
Spent, expired, or surplus chemicals Minimize
waste! Use less toxic alternatives if
available. Use a minimal amount - avoid large
amounts. Keep Waste in separate containers -
avoid mixing Some can be recycled. Easier to
keep track of amounts for manifests. Some
chemicals are not compatible. Clean up after
yourself!
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Clean Up!
Always clean up any spills, messes. Make a spill
kit Mercury difficult to clean up Cant wipe or
pick up Use a vacuum with trap, not vacuum
cleaner (volatilizes the mercury) Treat the
Cleaning materials as hazardous waste -Not into
trash can or down sink
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An inexpensive spill kit can be made with kitty
litter and other items such as gloves, safety
glasses, a broom, and a dust pan. Kitty litter
is an excellent all purpose absorbent and should
be kept in labs where high volumes of solvents
are stored.
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Equipment hazards
Vacuum evaporators and sputter coaters Electrical
shock Evaporated metals easily taken up Hot
components (burns) Implosion of bell
jar CPD High pressures in bomb Liquid CO2 -
freeze damage Fumes - ethanol or CO2 Explosive
venting
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Pumps Oil filters to minimize inhaling Liquid
N2 and compressed gasses Explosion of tank SF6
gas changes to toxic Fluorine if heated above
200 C X-ray exposure
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Physical damage Cuts Razor Blades Glass knives
Inhalation Mercury bulbs can explode if old and
overheated (usually after 200-300 hours of use).
Symptoms of mercury poisoning include tremors,
tunnel vision, loss of balance, slurred speech,
and unpredictable emotions.