Discusses characteristics of materials and labels used by the Department of Transportation, including label design and color: red (flammable and spontaneously combustible), white/yellow (radioactives), orange (explosives), white (poisons), yellow (oxidizers), green (non-flammable gas), black/white (corrosive), blue (dangerous when wet). Includes…

Discusses safety aspects of the new chemistry building being built at the University of Akron. (SL)

Describes a zinc-sawdust mixture effective for cleaning up mercury spills and presents an experiment to illustrate the mixture's effectiveness. (SL)

Describes a simple device to improve the set retrieval of spilled mercury. (SL)

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)

Analyzes the dangers of lasers in a classroom situation to formulate safety standards which are contrasted with federal regulations. Suggests that every laser user should check with the safety precautions to reduce the probability of producing a burn per student contact to extremely low levels. (CC)

Discusses the conduct of a new course, The Control of Chemical Hazards, at the Bedford College with emphasis upon pollution measurement and control. (CC)

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)