From:
Clark, Eric J <CLARKEJ**At_Symbol_Here**LATTC.EDU>
Subject:
Re: [DCHAS-L] Staying Safe During Stressful Times – Let’s Share Strategies
Date:
Dec 8, 2025 17:17 UTC
Reply-To:
ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
Message-ID:
<BY5PR03MB5266C88CF17332F3FCB454F4B6A2A**At_Symbol_Here**BY5PR03MB5266.namprd03.prod.outlook.com>
In-Reply-To:
<MN2PR02MB60958CBEFA4C395E2454A915A0A2A**At_Symbol_Here**MN2PR02MB6095.namprd02.prod.outlook.com>
Plants are wonderful.
Also, please be aware that biosafety guidelines generally prohibit non-essential plants in clinical, microbiological, or biological laboratory areas due to the potential risk of infection from pathogenic microorganisms found in the soil
and water.
Eric
Eric Clark, MS, CCHO, CHMM
Environmental & Occupational
Health & Safety Specialist
Los Angeles Trade Technical College
400 West Washington Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90015
T: 213-763-3632
F: 213-763-5392
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU>
On Behalf Of randyheald**At_Symbol_Here**icloud.com
Sent: Monday, December 8, 2025 8:09 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Staying Safe During Stressful Times – Let’s Share Strategies
I like your idea of using plants to reduce stress. Thanks for sharing.
Happy Holidays!
Plants serve as my destresser.
I work at Idaho State University Chemistry Department and I put plants throughout the building: in labs, in our student study room, in the lobby, in the hallways. In common spaces, we placed comfy chairs and moveable side tables for students
to use near plants. When I'm feeling extra stressed, I walk around and look at the plants. Our physical science building is home to math, physics, geosciences and chemistry. Students, faculty, and staff have told me how they love the plants.
In places where no natural light exists, our department purchased grow lights for the plants. Nobody has stolen them.
Sometimes we don't need to talk, we need to be quiet and breath, doing that near a plant is a perfect combination.
Chemistry Stockroom Manager
Dear CHAS Members,
I want to draw your attention to Dr. Randy Heald’s (CCS Chair)
comment in the November 24 issue of Chemical & Engineering News, titled
“Staying Safe During Stressful Times.”
Dr. Heald emphasizes the value of CHAS as a community that offers networking, a sense of belonging, and highlights this listserv as a vital source of information and expertise exchange.
Notably, he includes this call to action:
“I’m also very interested in hearing about the strategies you and your colleagues use to stay safe during high-stress times. Engaging with others and sharing innovative ideas helps strengthen our collective safety culture.”
This is an especially relevant topic these days. Stress can often interfere with safe practices in chemistry labs, and sharing approaches can help us all.
What strategies do you use to manage stress and maintain safety in your work environment? Please share your thoughts and experiences—your ideas could make a real difference for others in our community.
Looking forward to your insights!
Marta U. Gmurczyk, Ph.D.
Senior Safety Programs Manager
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--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at
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--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at
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