Lab safety professionals in two-year colleges are building a stronger safety culture through ongoing collaboration—and tackling hazardous solvent use in the process. On February 20, 2025, the American Chemical Society (ACS) Division of Chemical Health and Safety (CHAS) hosted a virtual CHAS Chat focusing on Navigating Organic Solvent Use in Laboratories. The session brought together educators and lab managers to share practical strategies for managing solvent risks in teaching labs.
A summary of questions, responses, and resources from the February session is now available on the 2YC Lab Safety Community of Practice page. The site also hosts session recordings and will feature materials from future CHAS Chat events.
The next session in the series will shift the focus toward sustainability:
Virtual 2YC CHAS Chat: Green Chemistry Resources and Solvent Alternatives
Date: Thursday, August 21, 2025
Time: 4:00–5:00 PM EDT
Register: Eventbrite
Featured guests include:
- Edmond Lam, assistant director of the ACS Green Chemistry Institute, will demo two tools: Reagent Guides and an Acid-Base Selection Tool
- Kendra Denlinger, professor at Xavier University, will discuss integrating green chemistry and sustainability into undergraduate lab courses
- Monica Soma Hensley, higher education content manager at Beyond Benign, will introduce the nonprofit’s teaching and learning platform
These free virtual events provide practical insights, vetted resources, and peer connections to help strengthen safety and sustainability practices in the 2YC lab environment.
For more information and to access resources from past sessions, visit the 2YC Lab Safety Community of Practice page hosted by the ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety.
