All:
Safety ratings of 1 are equivalent to using water (which can be harmful by diluting essential sodium and potassium ions), or other components of a healthy diet. While it is possible to develop science fair projects which do not depend on more hazardous materials, the topics and projects will be extremely limited.
I agree that powerful explosives, infectious disease organisms, and concentrated energy sources and storage devices may be more than most science fairs anticipate, most hazards can be safely addressed by prudent practices including engineering controls such as lab hoods, appropriate personal protective equipment, and limitations on time spent while exposed to hazards.
When in doubt, contact an industrial hygienist, experienced chemist, or safety professional.
Ralph A. Froehlich, CIH, CSP, QEP
Helix Environmental, Inc.
1 Elizabeth Place, Suite 160
Dayton, Ohio 45417
(937) 776-8435 cell
(937) 226-0650 office
On Sep 8, 2025, at 1:23 PM, Mark Turner <mark.olen.turner**At_Symbol_Here**OUTLOOK.COM> wrote:
Greetings,
New rules have been posted for participants in the International Science and Engineering Fair that seem a little over-restrictive to me. This rule applies to all work done at a school that is not a Registered Research Institution (RRI).
Projects using chemicals with a Globally Harmonized System (GHS)* safety rating of 1, in any of the classifications, must be conducted at an RRI.
I'm all for safety, but this seems to be a little ridiculous. This would disallow the use of any mineral acids, even at low concentrations, bleach as a category 1 skin corrosion/serious eye damage risk, and forget using our AAS for these projects as it runs on acetylene (not to mention the standards which contain dilute heavy metals in nitric acid).
I understand the desire for safety, but blanket rules like this destroy our ability to even use half of our equipment. Over half the science faculty in our high school have PhDs and two are (or were) CCHOs. I understand we are a bit of an exception in that way, but any high school across the country uses HCl on a regular basis safely, but we are restricted from allowing students to use it, even under supervision, at our schools.
I bring this up as when I questioned my contact with ISEF rules I was told they consulted the head of ACS Chemical Safety, so I would like to hear the thoughts of the people here on this. What do you think about this new rule?
Mark
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