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BIOCHEMISTRY 205 DR. GRACIA FE B. YU

GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE JUNE 17, 2010

I. \\ o In the research laboratory, chemicals that have been deemed

FUNDAMENTALS OF GOOD to be carcinogens will be labeled as such on the
LABORATORY PRACTICE manufacturer’s bottle.
o Some of the common lab carcinogens and their uses are:
I. Introduction  Chloroform – laboratory solvent
a. Making of a Scientist
 Formaldehyde – tissue preservation
b. Scientific Approaches to Research
c. Experimental Write-up  Carbon tetrachloride – laboratory solvent
II. Behavior in the Laboratory o Safe work practices
a. Cleaning of Glasswares & Reagent Storage In general, keep exposure as low as possible by:
b. Transferring Solids and Liquid Chemicals  using engineering controls, such as fume hoods or glove
c. Disposal of Wastes boxes
III. Chemical Hygiene Plan  using PPE, such as eye protection, lab coats and gloves
a. Hazard Identification  developing an SOP
b. Physical Hazards
 keeping quantities to a minimum
c. Health Hazards
d. Reproductive Hazards  labeling bottles and their respective storage areas with
IV. Minimizing Contact with Chemicals the words carcinogen and cancer hazard
a. Chemical Storage Guidelines  Sensitizers
b. Administrative Controls o Sensitizers are a group of chemicals that will cause, through
c. Engineering Controls an immune response, the exposed person to become allergic
d. Personal Protective Equipment to the chemical
e. Before/After Leaving Lab; Housekeeping
o Upon sensitization, small exposures will illicit abnormally
severe responses.
o Sensitization is a chronic health hazard.
Health Hazards o i.e. formaldehyde/formalin and latex.
 Exposure to formalin can cause a sore throat and other
 A person must be exposed (inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion) respiratory problems if inhaled and eczema-like
to a health hazard chemical for it to cause harm. symptoms upon repeated skin contact.
 The level and duration of exposure determines the severity of the  Sensitization to the said chemical can occur either from
health effect. skin contact or from inhalation.
 The effects of exposure to hazardous chemicals vary with the  Corrosives and Irritants
amount of exposure or dose. o Chemicals with a low or high pH (˂2.0 or ˃12.5) are
 The dose-response relationship is important in understanding the considered corrosive.
cause and effect relationship between chemical exposure and o The said levels correspond to the pH values of strong acids
health effects. and bases such as hydrochloric acid, ammonium hydroxide,
o All chemicals are toxic at a high enough dose. and acetic acid.
 Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) o If corrosive chemicals come in contact with skin or eyes, they
o PELs are regulatory limits on the amount or concentration of cause irreversible and visible damage at the site of contact.
a substance in the air. The damage, however, will be acute.
o They are based on an 8-hour adult time weighted average o Irritants will cause reversible, but still painful, inflammation
(TWA) exposure. when in contact with the skin, eyes, nose or respiratory tract.
o They refer to airborne concentrations of substances that may o Examples of irritants are:
be inhaled.  Chlorine and ammonia containing products
o When working with materials that have low PELs (≤ 50ppm),  Diluted acids
use administrative and engineering controls to minimize the  Halogens
generation of vapors or dust in the first place.  Nitrogen dioxide
 If these controls are not sufficient, use appropriate  Alkaline dusts and mists
personal protective equipment.  Ozone
 Phosphorus chlorides
Examples of PEL values  Hydrogen chloride
Chemical PEL (ppm)  Phosgene
Acetone 750  Arsenic tetrachloride
Ether ether 400  Hydrogen fluoride
 Diethyl/dimethyl sulfate
Methanol (skin) 200
Hydrogen cyanide (skin) 10
Reproductive Hazards
Formaldehyde 0.75
 Reproductive toxicity is a sub-chronic hazard that some research
 Carcinogens
chemicals have.
o These are substances associated with the occurrence of
cancer in animals or humans.  These can be either mutagens or teratogens.
o Mutagens can cause damage to the genes, causing heritable
mutations and abnormalities in the offspring.

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 i.e. ethidium bromide, formaldehyde, nicotine
o Teratogens cause harm to the fetus or embryo during
pregnancy, but the mother does not show any signs of
toxicity.
 i.e. ethyl alcohol, mercury compounds
o Chemical names can be abbreviated BUT a key must be
visible in the laboratory.
o The key must include the complete chemical name.
o Make sure that employees are trained on the labeling system
used by the laboratory.

MINIMIZING CONTACT WITH CHEMICALS Engineering Controls

 The risk of exposure to particularly hazardous substances can be  Engineering controls include devices such as
reduced by: o Fume hoods
o Substituting whenever possible for less toxic/hazardous o Glove boxes
materials o Other enclosures that reduce exposure or remove
o Using as little material as possible contaminants from the work environment
o Handling inside a fume hood  Fume hoods work by moving air from the lab, into the hood, and
o Minimizing contact by the use of Personal Protective finally exhausting it to the outside atmosphere.
Equipment (PPE)  Use a chemical fume hood anytime your work involves:
o Toxic volatile materials (chloroform, formaldehyde) with a
NOTE: PEL ˂50 mg/kg
 Never intentionally smell, inhale or taste a chemical. o Carcinogens or particularly hazardous substances
 Wash exposed body parts thoroughly with soap and water o A procedure that may create an aerosol of a toxic substance
after handling any chemical and removing your PPE. o Reactive or explosive materials or chemicals that may spatter
o Toxic gases (ammonia, carbon monoxide, fluorine)
Chemical Storage Guidelines  Safe operation of chemical fume hoods
o Keep sources of emission at least 6 inches inside the fume
 Ensure that all chemicals are stored according to compatibility. hood (behind sash).
o Minimize storage of chemicals in the hood.
o Avoid blocking off baffle exhausts.
o Ensure that blower is working (some hoods even have an
oxidizers organics on/off switch).
sulfuric acid AWAY acetic acid o Work with sash at proper operating level between your face
and materials in the fume hood.
nitric acid acetone
NOTE:
 Laminar flow hoods and biosafety cabinets do not provide
 Corrosive and flammable materials should be stored below eye any protection from chemicals.
level.
 Chemicals should not be stored on the floor except in approved
shipping. Personal Protective Equipment
 Dry chemicals can be stored on shelves.
 Flammable liquids (˃1L) must be stored inside cabinets.  Examples of PPE:
 Flammables kept outside a cabinet should be in safety cans. o Laboratory coats
 Never store flammable liquids in a standard (non-explosion/fire o Aprons
proof) cabinet. o Protective gloves
 Examples of flammable liquids are: o Safety glasses
 acetone o Goggles
 hexane o Face shields
 acetic acid  Protective gloves must be worn when there is a potential
 phenol occurrence of a hand injury or skin contact with chemicals,
 chloroform extreme temperatures or abrasives.
 perchloric acid o Neoprene – recommended for corrosives (pH ˂2.0 or ˃12.5),
solvents and alcohols.
NOTE: o Nitrile (blue or green) – recommended for non-halogenated
 Concentrated perchloric acid should be stored alone in a solvents such as hexane, methanol and puncture or abrasion
cabinet by itself. hazards.
o Nomex or Zetex – recommended for temperature extremes
such as handling cryogenic fluids like liquid nitrogen.
Administrative Controls  For limited chemical contact or when laboratory tasks require fine
motor skills, use disposable gloves
“Unlabeled today, Unknown tomorrow”
NOTE:
 Before gloves are removed, thoroughly rinse them with
 Label chemicals in the lab with:
water and/or a mild detergent and allow drying.
o Full chemical name

 no abbreviations, acronyms or formulas unless a key is
clearly posted in the lab
 i.e. ethanol, hydrochloric acid
o Hazard warning
 Handwritten, sticker, or NFPA diamond
 i.e. flammable, corrosive, cancer hazard
 Appropriate eye and face protection equipment must be worn at
all times in labs (including teaching labs) where eye hazards exist.
o Safety glasses are required when:
 An impact hazard exists.
 When working with low hazard chemicals
 When a low probability of splash exists

 Alternate labeling methods for multiple small containers

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o Clean up spilled chemicals immediately (read the MSDS for

Sample situations:
 Pipeting
 Handling closed bottle of injurious chemical.
 Mixing solutions.
 Opening centrifuge tubes.
o Chemical splash goggles are required when:
 Working with small amounts of corrosive or injurious
chemicals.
 Reasonable probability of splash exists.
Sample situations:
 Pouring acid out of a 1 pint or 500 ml bottle.
 Pouring methylene chloride from a 1 L bottle.
 Working with liquids under pressure.
o Face shield and splash goggles are required when:
 Larger quantities of corrosive chemicals
 A high probability of eye and face injury exists.
Sample situations:
 Working with an acid bath.
 Pouring 4 L of acid into a container
 Handling highly reactive chemicals that may
spatter
Before/After Leaving Lab (Housekeeping)
guidance about safe cleanup). Dispose of all broken glass
immediately.
o Always use separate containers for lab wastes, all properly
labeled; chemical waste, paper and miscellaneous trash, and
broken glass.
o Dispose of unlabeled containers and chemical wastes
promptly; do not let them accumulate in the stockroom or
laboratory.
o DO NOT BLOCK ACCESS TO: exits, emergency showers, fire
extinguishers, eyewash fountains.
 Workplace Personal Hygiene
o DON’T
 Eat, drink, smoke, chew gum, or apply makeup in a lab
 Keep food, food containers, or drinking glasses in areas
with chemicals
 Drink from any water source inside the laboratory
 Keep food in refrigerators with chemicals
 Drink from lab glassware
 Sniff or taste chemicals
 Pipet by mouth
 Wear contact lenses in the lab
o DO
 Wear appropriate eye protection at all times
 Become knowledgeable about your laboratory hazards
 Wash thoroughly before leaving the lab
 Always wash before eating, drinking, smoking or
applying makeup
 Remove contaminated clothing immediately and don’t
use again unless it has been properly decontaminated
 Follow any special procedures required by your
individual research lab.

 Before entering the lab:

o Make sure that you minimize exposed skin at all times by
wearing the appropriate clothing (long pants/skirts, close
toed shoes).
o The appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must
be used at all times in the lab when chemical, radioactive, or
biohazardous materials are being handled.
o It is advised to wear PPE even if not working with hazardous
material, because you can be injured by SOMEONE else’s
accident!
 Before leaving the lab:
o Stabilize experiment and equipment.
o Label all chemical containers and store them properly.
o Clean all contaminated instruments or containers including
glassware.
o Dispose of hazardous waste in properly labeled containers.
o Remove PPE and wash hands properly.

 Housekeeping
o Keep work areas clean and uncluttered with chemicals and
equipment.
o Clean up work areas upon completion of an operation or at
the end of each workday, including the floor.
o Do not block exits, emergency equipment or controls.
o Designate waste container for non-contaminated glass.

SUMMARY

 Laboratory Housekeeping

o Work areas should be kept clean and free from obstructions.

Cleanup should follow the completion of any operation at
the end of the day.

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