rofetg In the chemlcol Ioborotoru
edited by MALCOLM M. RENFREW University of Idaho MOSCOW. Idaho 83843
Good Practices for Hood Use William G. Mikell nd William C. Drinkard Central Research and Development Department, E. I. du Pont de Nemours, Experimental Station, Wilmington, DE 19898
Laboratory fume hoods are important safety devices. They are provided to protect nersonnel from chemicals that are heine handled or stored which are putentiallv injurious ro health. I u additiun to protection from rhemical fumes they provide some degree of protection from fires and explosions. Hoods, however, are secondary or "haek-up" safety devices. Training of personnel, proper design of experiments,andcareful o&ration of equipment are the primary controls. Even the best hoods cannot overcome poor work practices by the user. Studies (1, 2) have shown that when good work practices are employed with a properly installed and functioning hood, the user is protected. The purpose of this brief article is to outline these good practices for hood use.
Assumptions on Hood Design and Performance A properly designed, installed, and functioning laboratory hood is a complex device which requires many design and operating compromises such as size, opening, materials of construction. fire and exolosion orotection. location in lab, air flow, air distribution, services, convenience, cost of operation. To stress some design parameters or t o overlook others may seriously affect the performance of the installation. For example, there is a great tendency among hood &ers t o place primary emphasis on face air velocity (or face velocity) as being the single most important
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William Mlkeii is the Environmental Control Manager at the du Pont Experimental Station in Wilmington. Delaware. He served with lhe National Research Council Committeeswhich developed the reports on Trudent Practices for Handling Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories" and "Prudent of Chemicals From Labarb Practices for Dispo~~i tories." W. C. Drlnkard joined du Pont in 1960 and is currently Manager. Facilities and Safety in the Central Research and Development Department at the Experimental Station in Wilmington, Delaware.
Volume 61
Number 1 January 1984
A13
