I don’t want to distract from Jessica’s interesting question about chemical security in labs, but today I had the chance to try out the ChatGPT prototype (an artificial intelligence chatbot developed by OpenAI which specializes in dialogue) with some chemical safety questions today.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ChatGPT

The responses are below. I was generally impressed with the appropriateness of the response to rather general questions.

I wonder if anyone else who has had a chance to play with this chatbot has identified specific types of chemical safety questions that it returns problematic information for?  There is a lot of chatter in various social media about the chatbot's inability to identify and avoid incorrect information for general knowledge questions, but perhaps in a more specific domain may see value in its use.

Someone suggested that they think of this platform as a friendlier version of a general search engine. The challenge I see with that interpretation is the current implementation of the chatbot does not provide any indication of where the information it is using comes from. This is probably because its input data was scraped from a large number of web sites in 2021 and it is difficult to identify a specific source for a factoid included in the response.

- Ralph

Ralph Stuart, CIH, CCHO
ralph**At_Symbol_Here**rstuartcih.org

Is nitric acid compatible with nitrile gloves?

Nitric acid can be compatible with nitrile gloves, but it depends on the concentration of the nitric acid and the quality of the gloves. Nitrile gloves are generally resistant to a wide range of chemicals, including many acids, but they can be degraded by strong acids such as nitric acid. It is important to always check the chemical resistance of the gloves you are using to make sure they are suitable for the chemicals you are working with. It is also a good idea to double-glove and use other protective equipment, such as a face shield, to protect yourself from splashes or spills.

What are the hazards of DMSO?

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a colorless liquid that is commonly used as a solvent. It is generally considered to be a safe and effective solvent, but it can have some hazards. Some of the potential hazards of DMSO include skin irritation and sensitization, eye irritation, and respiratory irritation. DMSO can also cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested, and it can interact with some medications. It is important to handle DMSO with care and to use appropriate protective equipment, such as gloves and eye protection, when working with it.

Is nitric acid a hazardous waste in New Hampshire?

The classification of hazardous waste varies depending on the concentration of the waste and other factors. In general, nitric acid is considered a hazardous waste because it is a strong oxidizing agent. However, the specific regulations for hazardous waste in New Hampshire may vary, so it is best to check with the appropriate authorities to determine if nitric acid is classified as a hazardous waste in that state. It is important to properly manage and dispose of hazardous waste to protect the environment and human health.

What concentration of nitric acid is considered a hazardous waste in New Hampshire?

I'm sorry, but I am not able to browse the internet to provide you with the specific regulations for hazardous waste in New Hampshire. The classification of hazardous waste can vary depending on the concentration of the waste and other factors, so it is best to check with the appropriate authorities to determine if a particular concentration of nitric acid is considered a hazardous waste in that state. It is important to properly manage and dispose of hazardous waste to protect the environment and human health.

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