Monday, 10 March 2025

Concentration matters: Even a non-hazardous chemical can become hazardous if highly concentrated

 Some examples of non-hazardous chemicals commonly found in Indian laboratory settings include: sodium chloride (table salt), distilled water, ethanol (grain alcohol), sucrose (table sugar), calcium carbonate (chalk), agar, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), dextrose (glucose), potassium permanganate (in dilute solutions), and most food-grade dyes; always check specific safety data sheets (SDS) for each chemical before handling, as classifications can vary depending on concentration and usage. 

Key points to consider:

Concentration matters: Even a non-hazardous chemical can become hazardous if highly concentrated.

Check SDS: Always consult the Safety Data Sheet for detailed information about a chemical's potential hazards.

Proper handling: Follow safe laboratory practices regardless of a chemical's classification. 

Other potential non-hazardous chemicals:

Inorganic compounds:

Sodium hydroxide (dilute) 

Potassium iodide 

Copper sulfate (dilute) 

Magnesium sulfate 

Organic compounds:

Acetic acid (dilute) 

Citric acid 

Benzoic acid 

Glycerol 

Biological materials:

Agarose 

Protein solutions (e.g., bovine serum albumin) 

DNA/RNA samples 

No comments:

Post a Comment