I have a question about laboratory safety...

What do I have to know about safety issues in the Electron Microscopy Facility?

It is recommended that all persons working in a laboratory attend the chemical safety training seminar, a free course given by Environmental Health and Safety at Penn State.

Many of the chemicals used in the EM Facility are hazardous. If handled improperly they may cause serious health problems. The purpose of raising this issue is not to scare or discourage anyone, but rather to educate users to properly and safely handle these chemicals. The regulations should be considered non-negotiable. There is a zero tolerance policy for unsafe or careless handling of chemicals or equipment in the Facility.

All fixatives, solvents and embedding media must be handled in a hood with caution. Even if the chemical is not specifically labeled as hazardous, assume it is and handle it with caution. Do not pour anything down the drain unless specifically directed to do so by an EM technician.

Where can I find more information regarding EM laboratory safety?

• Smithwick, EB (1985) Cautions, Common Sense, and Rationale for the Electron Microscopy Laboratory. Journal of Electron Microscopy Technique 2: 193-200.
• Barber, VC (1984) Safety in the Scanning Electron Microscopy Laboratory - 1984 Update. Scanning Electron Microscopy IV: 1719 - 1722