The lab is an area of scientific activity and as such it houses hazardous chemicals. It is also the site of dangerous procedures. Some of these chemicals and procedures are part of industry or they may be relevant to scientific experimentation. They require that lab staff observe safety precautions. One of these is the installation and use of laboratory fume hoods, which should be obligatory in all labs in San Antonio TX.
The fume hood might seem similar to an extractor hood in the ordinary kitchen. However, it is sometimes more complicated than that. The basic principle, namely the extraction and removal of harmful gases and vapors, is always the same, but some hoods actually return filtered air into the lab. This becomes significant where the reaction or experiment needs to take place at a specific air temperature.
There are many hazardous substances in modern science, and qualified staff should be aware of what they are. They should also be aware of the specific chemicals that are used in their angle of chemistry. Where experimental substances are at play, they should know the precautions to take. This is also the case where they are working with unidentified mixtures.
An obvious example of a hazardous chemical is mercury, which is liquid at room temperature. Mercury is a metal, like other metals, but its melting point is so low that it liquefies at room temperature. This also means that it emits a small amount of mercury vapor. Inhalation of this vapor causes mercury poisoning, since the vapor is as dangerous as the liquid metal itself.
Mercury causes permanent damage to the nervous system, and this is one of its most serious symptoms. It can also cause death, as was witnessed in Japan, where mercury polluted the coastal waters and poisoned a large number of people. There were roughly 50 fatalities. The condition that mercury causes was named Minimata after this specific incident.
Another example of a dangerous vapor is sodium hydroxide. This is more commonly known as caustic soda. It is indeed caustic, so much so that inhalation of the dust that rises from it when the powder form is not handled gently can corrode the respiratory tract and the lungs, potentially causing lung cancer. If it is deposited on the skin, it dissolves in the sweat and starts to corrode the tissue.
A more obvious hazard is sodium hydroxide (caustic soda). This is a heavy duty corrosive chemical that is used in industry. It is typically marketed in powder form, but if the powder is not handled sensitively, it gives off a fine vapor. This vapor can be breathed in. Once it comes into contact with the interior of the respiratory system it corrodes the tissue there, even in the lungs. This can cause lung cancer. On the skin, it forms a solution with sweat which destroys the skin and the tissue underneath.
At all times, only trained personnel should be allowed to work with hazardous chemicals. The proper safety precautions should always be taken in the laboratory. The inhalation of toxic gases can be ignored for a time, but the onset of symptoms might be insipid, and the staff may not realize that they are being poisoned. It is also unwise to claim that one is accustomed to toxic gases, or that they have no effect. If a fume hood is required, it should not be absent.
The fume hood might seem similar to an extractor hood in the ordinary kitchen. However, it is sometimes more complicated than that. The basic principle, namely the extraction and removal of harmful gases and vapors, is always the same, but some hoods actually return filtered air into the lab. This becomes significant where the reaction or experiment needs to take place at a specific air temperature.
There are many hazardous substances in modern science, and qualified staff should be aware of what they are. They should also be aware of the specific chemicals that are used in their angle of chemistry. Where experimental substances are at play, they should know the precautions to take. This is also the case where they are working with unidentified mixtures.
An obvious example of a hazardous chemical is mercury, which is liquid at room temperature. Mercury is a metal, like other metals, but its melting point is so low that it liquefies at room temperature. This also means that it emits a small amount of mercury vapor. Inhalation of this vapor causes mercury poisoning, since the vapor is as dangerous as the liquid metal itself.
Mercury causes permanent damage to the nervous system, and this is one of its most serious symptoms. It can also cause death, as was witnessed in Japan, where mercury polluted the coastal waters and poisoned a large number of people. There were roughly 50 fatalities. The condition that mercury causes was named Minimata after this specific incident.
Another example of a dangerous vapor is sodium hydroxide. This is more commonly known as caustic soda. It is indeed caustic, so much so that inhalation of the dust that rises from it when the powder form is not handled gently can corrode the respiratory tract and the lungs, potentially causing lung cancer. If it is deposited on the skin, it dissolves in the sweat and starts to corrode the tissue.
A more obvious hazard is sodium hydroxide (caustic soda). This is a heavy duty corrosive chemical that is used in industry. It is typically marketed in powder form, but if the powder is not handled sensitively, it gives off a fine vapor. This vapor can be breathed in. Once it comes into contact with the interior of the respiratory system it corrodes the tissue there, even in the lungs. This can cause lung cancer. On the skin, it forms a solution with sweat which destroys the skin and the tissue underneath.
At all times, only trained personnel should be allowed to work with hazardous chemicals. The proper safety precautions should always be taken in the laboratory. The inhalation of toxic gases can be ignored for a time, but the onset of symptoms might be insipid, and the staff may not realize that they are being poisoned. It is also unwise to claim that one is accustomed to toxic gases, or that they have no effect. If a fume hood is required, it should not be absent.
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