We just had an article mentioned on this list that reported on a Capitol Hill briefing on the lack of toxicity training in U.S. Chemistry degree programs. In order for chemistry students to read an SDS unless they first have a basic understanding of toxicology, e.g., LD50s, acute/chronic, routes of entry, and all of that is crucial to their education. I found an easy source for that article.
"Green Chemistry Hindered by Lack of Toxicology Training," Chemistry World, Royal Society of Chemistry, Rebecca Trager, 21 January 2016, UK, http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/2016/01/green-chemistry-toxicology-training-environmental-education
I usually sum up this problem for the art and theater students with a couplet:
Chemists know all about what happens when chemical A is mixed with Chemical B.
Chemists are clueless about what happens when Chemical A is mixed with me.
I also have a 7 page section by section explanation of the SDS with definitions of all of the common terminology that I leave with art and theater people so they can use it when they go through an SDS. Training alone is not going to do it. They need a glossary and guide.
Monona Rossol, M.S., M.F.A., Industrial Hygienist
President: Arts, Crafts & Theater Safety, Inc.
Safety Officer: Local USA829, IATSE
181 Thompson St., #23
New York, NY 10012 212-777-0062
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve McLean <steve_mclean**At_Symbol_Here**BYU.EDU>
To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Sent: Mon, Jan 25, 2016 2:22 pm
Subject: [DCHAS-L] The university didn't prepare me for this!
Over the past 25 years I've heard a lot of anecdotal stories about (chemical industry) supervisors lamenting that their straight-out-of-college new hires have not been taught basic laboratory safety principles. Similarly, I know a lot
of chemists who reported a "rude awakening" when they started their first job and realized they knew a lot about textbook chemistry principles/theory, but knew essentially nothing about how to read and interpret a SDS/MSDS or how to select an appropriate chemical-resistant
glove.
If you're aware of any reputable journal article, news story (think C&EN, etc.) that addresses this specific topic, please let me know the reference. I'm particularly interested in any piece wherein an industry leader (BASF, Dow, DuPont,
Monsanto, Huntsman, etc.) has issued a clarion call (or plea) for higher education to improve their efforts to train future graduates in the basics of laboratory and chemical safety.
Thanks,
SJM
*******************
Steven J. McLean, ASP, CHMM
Brigham Young University
Laboratory Safety Manager
Risk Management - 241 FB
Office: (801) 422-6879
Cell: (801) 960-5203