DCHAS-L Discussion List Archive
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2005 11:56:10 -0500
Reply-To: Ralph Stuart <rstuart**At_Symbol_Here**uvm.edu>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: Ralph Stuart <rstuart**At_Symbol_Here**uvm.edu>
Subject: Confusing risk message?
I received the December 12 issue of C&EN news today and found the
cover photo to be a rather confusing risk message. It shows two high
school girls participating in National Chemistry Week activities with
lab coats and safety glasses on. They are using straws to blow air
into liquid soap to form bubbles.
My gut reaction in looking at the picture was "oh my god, they're
mouth-pipetting; I thought we got rid of that last century". Looking
at the picture more closely, I realized what was going on and
understood why they wanted to use straws for better pressure control.
However, my question is "Are the lab coats and glasses appropriate in
this setting?"
By using these ppe in this situation, are the girls building good lab
habits, or perhaps, receiving a confusing risk message that says
liquid soap is as dangerous as any other chemical you might work
with? When they get to college chemistry lab are they less likely to
use ppe when working with a strong corrosive because they "too old"
for high school habits now?
I don't expect a clear answer, but I'd be interested in hearing CHAS
people's thoughts...
- Ralph
Ralph Stuart, CIH
Environmental Safety Manager
University of Vermont
Environmental Safety Facility
667 Spear St. Burlington, VT 05405
rstuart**At_Symbol_Here**uvm.edu
fax: (802)656-5407
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