Discusses the possible dangers of the educational radioactive sources used in a college physics laboratory. The discussion is intended to increase the awareness of teachers and students. (HM)

Discussed are accidents that occur in the laboratories of highly trained chemists. Four examples are provided to illustrate potential hazards that are often overlooked in chemistry laboratories, molten inorganic salt baths, the reaction of acetone and hydrogen peroxide, halogenated acetylene compounds, and the reaction of hydrogen peroxide and…

Introduces a chemistry course developed at Northeastern University and discusses the improvements to increase the quality of education offered to graduate students. (Contains 20 references.) (YDS)

Outlines safe laboratory procedures for the handling of micro-organisms including aseptic technique, manipulation of cultures, and treatment of contaminated equipment. Identifies the principal hazard as the microbial aerosol, explains its possible effects, and describes the appropriate precautions. (GS)

Describes a "feedback course" offered at Brown University, in which undergraduates redesigned the introductory organic chemistry laboratory. The students specified objectives for the ideal lab, then devised laboratory experiments. Laboratory safety was stressed, all dangerous reagents and solvents were eliminated, and toxicological data were…

Describes a chemical laboratory safety course presented at Western Michigan University. (SL)

Reviews legislation and controls in effect, and needed, to reduce the hazards of violent reactions in the uncontrolled mixing of incompatible chemicals. (SL)

Provides information on updating older fume hoods. Areas addressed include: (1) adjustment of the hood's back baffle; (2) hood air leakage; (3) light level; (4) hood location in relation to room traffic and room air; and (5) establishing and maintaining hood performance. (JN)

Describes procedures for disposing of dichromate cleaning solution, picric acid, organic azides, oxalic acid, chemical spills, and hydroperoxides in ethers and alkenes. These methods have been tested under laboratory conditions and are specific for individual chemicals rather than for groups of chemicals. (JN)

Highlights guidelines that should be implemented in administering a plan for the proper storage of chemicals. They include housing chemicals in multiple locations within a building to lessen the accident potential, not grouping them in alphabetical order, and storing them according to six major chemical classes. (JN)

Discusses use of 1,1,1-trichloroethane as a substitute for carbon tetrachloride. Provides information on additives to commercially supplied sources in relation to possible reaction interferences. Warns of toxicity and possible carcinogenic action. (JM)

Results from two surveys of chemists and educators conducted at two conventions indicate weak spots in facilities, poor storage information, and failure to take precautions against reactive hazards. Includes suggestions and a checklist related to a wide range of storage problems. (SK)

Toxicology/chemical hazards, safety policy, legal responsibilities, adequacy of ventilation, chemical storage, evaluating experimental hazards, waste disposal, and laws governing chemical safety were among topics discussed in 10 papers presented at the Seventh Biennial Conference on Chemical Education (Stillwater, Oklahoma 1982). Several topics…

Discusses the generation, collection, and disposal of hazardous and other wastes in the chemistry laboratory. Offers suggestions related to these three areas to provide a safe teaching environment, including minimizing amounts of reagents used (and potentially wasted) by scaling down experiments. (JN)

A significant amount of scientific work is done in laboratories with limited ventilation capabilities. To operate at "acceptable risk", an understanding is needed of what ventilation systems can/cannot do. A simple experiment is described which assesses conditions under which specific experiments should be performed and serves to introduce…