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EDITOR: GEORGE H. MORRISON EDITORIAL HEADQUARTERS 1155 Sixteenth St., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 Phone: 202-872-4570 Teletype: 710-8220 151 Executive Editor: Josephine M. Petruzzi Managing Editor: Barbara Cassatt Associate Editor; Stuart A. Borman Editorial Assistants: Marcia Cohen. Jacquelyn Danes
Keeping the Chemicals in Analytical Chemistry
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The Analytlcal Approach Advisory Panel: Edward C. Dunlop. Robert A. Hofstader, Wilbur D. Shults Regulatory Affairs, Analytical Division Committee: Fred Freeberg (Chairman) Published by the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 1155 16th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 Books and Journals Division Director: D. H. Michael Bowen Journals: Charles R. Bertsch Production: Elmer Pusey, Jr. Research and Development: Seldon W Terrant
In his Fisher Award Address in 1962 Herman Liebhafsky suggested that “like it or not, the chemistry is going out of analytical chemistry.” He was, of course, referring to the revolutionary impact of instrumentation on analysis. Almost 20 years later we still find ourselves handling chemicals for sample preparation, both as reagents, and more obviously, as samples. What has changed is that there is now a greatly increased societal awareness of hazardous chemicals and the need for greater laboratory safety. In response to this awareness, the National Research Council recently published a report entitled “Prudent Practices for Handling Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories” (National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1980) that examines safety in research and teaching labs. The NRC Committee that studied the problem dealt with physical and chemical hazards (e.g., fire, explosion, electric shock, and corrosives) and with toxicity, including carcinogenicity. Radiation and biological hazards were not included in this study. Lab safety depends, obviously, on a great deal of common sense, but the perception of lab-safety issues is not so simple. The study leading to this report was prompted by three sets of concerns: reports of disproportionate risk and cancer death among chemists; experience with laboratory accidents; and worry that occupational safety precautions that might be prescribed for conventional workplaces would make it difficult for research and teaching laboratories to function and would not provide the protection intended. Since chemicals occur in almost limitless (and ever-increasing) variety in the laboratory, specific guidelines for each chemical would needlessly handicap laboratory work, both practically and economically. Accordingly, the report recommends general procedures, applicable to all chemicals, that are designed to minimize the exposure of the laboratory worker to any chemical. Safety concerns involve not only laboratory operations, but also the handling of chemicals on the loading dock, in storerooms, and in disposal. It is important to note that although the current strong interest in chronic effects, particularly carcinogenesis, is justified, the committee believes that acutely toxic, explosive, and flammable substances constitute equally important and immediate risks to laboratory workers. Precautions regarding the use of and exposure to acutely hazardous substances not only lessen the immediate risks posed by these materials but also reduce the probability that chronic effects will be incurred. Voluntary safety programs have proven to be so inadequate that many laboratories have instituted mandatory safety rules and programs that include regular safety inspections, proper disposal procedures, emergency training, regular monitoring of ventilation, and formal, periodic education, in addition to proper operating procedures and precautions. Academic institutions in particular are vulnerable to accidents so it behooves them to get their house in order before they are regulated to death. This report should be required reading for all faculty members and staff.
Manuscript requirements are published in the January 1981 issue, page 139. Manuscripts for publication (4 copies) should be submitted to ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY at the ACS Washington address. The American Chemical Society and its editors assume no responsibility for the statements and opinions advanced by contributors. Views expressed in the editorials are those of the editors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the American Chemical Society.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 53, NO. 6, MAY 1981
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