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Safety in the scanning electron microscopy laboratory--1984 update
Scanning Electron Microscopy
|January 1, 1984
Summary
This study reviews SEM laboratory safety, focusing on formaldehyde, embeddants, and photographic chemicals. While formaldehyde isn't a carcinogen, other hazards necessitate careful handling and effective ventilation for lab safety.
Area of Science:
- Laboratory Safety
- Chemical Hazards
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
Background:
- Recent safety information for SEM laboratories is compiled.
- Focuses on hazards associated with formaldehyde, embeddants, and photographic chemicals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current hazards in SEM laboratory settings.
- To provide guidance on safe handling of specific chemicals and materials.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent information on chemical hazards.
- Compilation of safety data for formaldehyde, epoxy resins, and photographic chemicals.
Main Results:
- Formaldehyde is not substantiated as a human carcinogen or mutagen, but requires careful handling.
- Epoxy resins are substantiated as mutagens, requiring fume hood use.
- Photographic chemicals pose hazards, reducible by adequate darkroom ventilation.
Conclusions:
- Emphasizes the need for caution with formaldehyde and embeddants (epoxy resins).
- Reiterates the importance of adequate ventilation in darkrooms to mitigate photographic chemical hazards.
- Highlights the necessity of effective fume hoods for operations involving mutagens.
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