This is the fourth in a series of articles concerned with safety in school science. This article presents some facts about eight types of carcinogenic chemicals and suggests precautions in their use in British schools. A safety bibliography is also included. (HM)

Conducts a science safety survey of science educators across the nation to assess their safety understanding and to determine the availability and understanding of strategic safety items. Discusses findings, problems, and implications for science supervisors. (KHR)

Presents an open-ended experiment designed to observe a range of processes and effects associated with electrolysis of an aqueous solution of copper sulfate. Lists materials and procedures. (DDR)

Includes "Preparing Teachers to Teach Agriscience" (Osborne); "Physical Sciences and Agriculture" (Buriak); "Using Experiments to Teach Agriculture" (Miller); "Oooh-Ahhh: So That's How It Works!" (Loschen); "Keeping Agriculture in Agriscience" (Moss); "Sharpening Twist Drills" (McHargue, Hood); and "Safety in the Agriscience Laboratory"…

Points out the need to educate undergraduate chemical engineering students on chemical process safety and introduces the content of a chemical process safety course offered at the University of Iowa. Presents laboratory experiments demonstrating flammability limits, flash points, electrostatic, runaway reactions, explosions, and relief design.…

Attempts to dispel rumors concerning contact lenses and tries to supply prudent-use practices for allowing contact lenses in industry and laboratories. Discusses federal regulations that impact the use of contact lenses in industry, policy statements from medical organizations on use of contact lenses in industrial environments, and the…

Using microbiology activities in the classroom is an effective way for teachers to address National Standards in the life sciences. However, common microbiology activities that involve swabbing doorknobs and hands are too risky due to the likelihood of culturing human pathogens. In addition, making sterile media and maintaining sterile conditions…

Forty-eight new secondary science teachers participated in a study that required a listing, discussion, and application of criteria to rank three chemistry laboratory procedures. The three similar lab procedures involved synthesis of a compound from its elements. The top criteria noted by teachers focused on procedural issues (i.e., timeliness,…

A workshop was designed to (1) train teachers to become experts on chemical safety and storage; (2) examine and evaluate chemical storage in 12 Carroll County (Maryland) schools; and (3) develop a safety guide for all county science classrooms. Development, implementation, evaluation, and implications of the workshop are addressed. (JN)

Describes a demonstration involving the controlled combustion of a mixture of metals with black and smokeless powder in a small Erlenmeyer flask. Also describes demonstrations using a device that precludes breathing of hazardous vapors during class demonstrations; the device is easy to transport and use in rooms without sinks. (JN)

Discusses six common problems which may occur when using temporary labels on chemicals, samples, or mixtures in teaching or research laboratories. Solutions to each of these problems are offered. (JN)

Presents a series of syntheses in which poly-4-vinylpyridine is substituted for pyridine or other tertiary amines, avoiding some of the safety problems associated with traditional reagents and providing a readily recoverable and recyclable reactant. Background information, procedures used, and results are included. (JN)

Discusses danger of explosions with molten salts baths, commonly used as heat-transfer media. One such explosion involved use of a bath containing 3-lb sodium nitrite and 1-lb potassium thiocyanate. Although most commercially available mixtures for heat transfer contain oxidizers, a reducer (thiocyanate) was included which possibly triggered the…

Points out that excellent results are obtained using an air-natural gas flame in atomic absorption experiments rather than using an air-acetylene flame. Good results are obtained for alkali metals, copper, cadmium, and zinc but not for the alkaline earths since they form refractory oxides. (Author/JN)

Suggests alternatives for benzene, carbon tetrachloride, and chloroform and offers safety precautions when these solvents must be used. (JN)