As we say over and over again, chemical safety begins with a good working knowledge of the chemicals you use and their hazardous properties. When incompatible materials contact each other the result can lead to explosion, the evolution of toxic or or flammable gas, or both.
The purpose of a fume hood is to contain contaminants and prevent their escape into the laboratory. This is accomplished by drawing contaminates within the hood’s work area away from the user, so that inhalation and contact are minimized.
Water quality laboratories analyze countless samples of water each day to ensure that the more than one billion glasses of water consumed daily are void of harmful substances.
Laboratories seeking to create novel therapies for debilitating and life-threatening diseases are challenged by seemingly conflicting goals to maximize productivity and quality.