Safety in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Laboratory

Safety in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Laboratory André Picot and Philippe Grenouillet Foreword by Nobel laureate, Sir Derek Barton Chemical and biomedical laboratories are full of potentially dangerous chemicals and equipment. Proper dissemination of information concerning chemical substances, as well as the identification of risks involved in handling them, allows increased awareness of danger and permits medical and safety personnel to act more efficiently. Safety in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Laboratory provides knowledge that will aid in the analysis, detection, and minimization of safety risks. The authors discuss the task of creating a professional environment and of formulating individual and collective rules to avoid fires, explosions, toxic fumes, skin burns, poisoning, and other hazards. Particular problems presented by some substances are dealt with through illustrations of general techniques and many specific examples. Since mismanagement of stocks and wastes is often a cause of accidents, special attention is given to the treatment of wastes and aged chemicals. The book provides information not found elsewhere on the risks associated with laboratory apparatus, including pressurized systems, and extensive discussion on the toxic properties of chemicals. Safety in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Laboratory is not intended as an emergency handbook, but the authors give general rules of conduct in case of mishap, while describing the dangers associated with certain chemical families. This book is for chemists, biochemists, analytical chemists, environmental chemists, and laboratory technicians in chemistry and the chemical industry.