Hello,

I know synthetic nails have been discussed before on the listserv (e.g. March 2023 CHAS Newsletter), but there’s a slightly different angle I wanted to ask about.

Sure, not having synthetic nails in the lab is preferable. Avoiding synthetic hair or fresh piercings would also be good choices.

When I think of outreach settings, K-12 settings, or maybe even introductory college lab settings, though, I’m wondering if there is any PPE or procedure that would allow someone with synthetic nails to participate in an activity involving heat. Flame is rare but not completely gone from such settings, and the examples of the cigarette ignition suggests that a hotplate could be sufficient in some cases.

I think this is one of those tough risk/benefit cases – if someone is told that their lifestyle choices (attractive hair or nails) are not permitted in science, then they may choose not to pursue science. We draw that line all the time with clothing, but things attached to your body are harder to change just for one class or one activity. (To state the obvious, making choices that result in someone being injured when it could be prevented is also a problem.)

Is there any protective gear that reduces the risk? I’m not sure the fingertip safety tape I just noticed (https://www.boreal.com/ca/en/product/NA2864734/fingertip-safety-tape) does it for me, but then I’ve never seen it in person.

Thanks for your thoughts…

Sue

_______________________________

Susan D. Wiediger, Ph.D.

Professor, Department of Chemistry

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

swiedig**At_Symbol_Here**siue.edu       618-650-3088