Teaching Safety CHAS 20 The challenge of managing hazardous wastes from class laboratories Ralph Stuart, Environmental Safety Facility, University of Vermont, 667 Spear St., Burlington, VT 05405, Fax: 802-656-5407, rstuart**At_Symbol_Here**esf.uvm.edu, and Denise Dubois, Environmental Safety, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405 Class laboratories present special issues in managing hazardous chemical and biological wastes. In many classroom situations, the responsibility for the correct management of the wastes and related safety issues in the class laboratory is ambiguously assigned. This ambiguity adds stress to a teaching assistants' already-divided attention and can result in poor management of laboratory waste. We have observed incorrect labeling of wastes, poor housekeeping and potential contamination of a variety of laboratory surfaces in class laboratories as a result of this problem. This presentation will discuss some of the challenges we have observed at UVM and some of the approaches we are taking to resolving these issues. CHAS 21 21st Century laboratory design Stefan Wawzyniecki Jr., Department of Environmental Health & Safety, University of Connecticut, 3102 Horsebarn Hill Rd, Unit 4097, Storrs, CT 06269, Fax: 860-486-1106, stefan.w**At_Symbol_Here**uconn.edu The University of Connecticut at Storrs has undertaken an ambitious building program, especially for science and research facilities. This paper will highlight one of the recent buildings that opened recently- Pharmacy/ Biology. This "show and tell" approach will put on display the approach taken for designing a state-of- the-art facility for both teaching and research. Laboratory layout, furniture, fume hood ventilation, and safety features are just a few of the topics that will be discussed. CHAS 22 Are YOU practicing safe chemistry? Al Hazari, Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, 505 Buehler Hall, Knoxville, TN 37996, ahazari**At_Symbol_Here**utk.edu Over the years, the ACS - Committee on Chemical Safety (CCS ; www.chemistry.org/committee/safety) has been providing resources (booklets, videos, etc.) to make "Teaching Safety" easier and more effective. In this session, the presenter, a chemistry educator and the current CCS chair, will share information on the committee's latest publications and projects that promote safe practices in chemical activities. CHAS 23 Hierarchical MSDS retrieval system and analytical capabilities George R. Thompson, Chemical Compliance Systems, Inc, 706 Route 15 South, Suite 207, Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849, Fax: 973-663-2378, georgethompson**At_Symbol_Here**chemply.com In 1985, the OSHA HazCom required chemical manufacturers and distributors provide their customers with Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs). Employers were required to make every MSDS accessible to their employees. Many state Right-to-Know laws extended these MSDS requirements to nonpublic employers. EPA EPCRA regulations required employers to submit MSDSs to their LEPC when the minimum threshold in inventory is exceeded, or upon request. In 1993, a standard MSDS format was approved by ANSI. In 2002, this standard format was adopted by the UN under their Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. The challenge for facilities to efficiently retrieve and analyze MSDS information can now be readily resolved by implementing Web- based, hierarchical and customizable retrieval and analytical systems: 1. MSDS Retrieval System for Product Hazard Information (MRS-PHI): imaged manufacturer MSDSs. 2. MSDS Retrieval System for Chemical Hazard Information (MRS- CHI): imaged product and constituent chemical MSDSs for chemical reference files. 3. MSDS Retrieval System for Chemical and Environmentally Preferable Product Analyses (MRS-CEPPA): includes all MSDS images and numerous reference databases. CHAS 24 Safety considerations for science in the home school environment Frankie K. Wood-Black, ConocoPhillips, 2277 Kirkwood #303, Houston, TX 77077, fwblack**At_Symbol_Here**cableone.net It is currently estimated that 2.2 million children are in a home school environment. This growing phenomenon indicates that there is a need to develop science curricula for the home schooler. Doing experiments in a home school situation requires special considerations for safety and good laboratory practice. This paper will look at how to develop science experiments that meet the educational needs of the students while taking into account the environment. CHAS 25 Safety in academic chemistry laboratories: The Arabic translation Mamoun M. Bader, Department of Chemistry, Qatar University and Pennsylvania State University, Hazleton, PA 18202, mmb11**At_Symbol_Here**psu.edu, and Al Hazari, Department of Chemistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996 A description of the lessons learned first-hand during the translation into Arabic of the flagship publication of the ACS – Committee on Chemical Safety booklet entitled, "Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories (Volumes 1 and 2)" will be shared. This type of work provides an added and important international dimension to the ACS. If similar translations become available in other (than Spanish) languages, they will definitely help enhance the safety standards in academic laboratories world-wide. This will also help educate students in foreign countries about the importance of observing safety regulations. The ultimate goal would be the creation of healthy and safe learning and working chemical laboratory environments around the globe. CHAS 26 Science IS-inquiry...safely Linda M. Stroud, Science & Safety Consulting Services, Inc, 2808 Rue Sans Famille, Raleigh, NC 27607-3049, Fax: 919 789 4477, LMStroud**At_Symbol_Here**aol.com Contaminating schools with “magic water” (Hg), burning of a high school, spiking a teacher's water bottle with a mixture of HCl / ZnCl2 and the high cost of removing hazardous waste chemicals from schools has garnered the attention of North Carolina school officials and legislators. A sustainable science safety program requires teaching all stakeholders in our schools - Science IS- Inquiry...Safely. CHAS 27 It was toxic...it was on the news I. J. Wilk, none, PO Box 18006, Stanford, CA 94309-8006, sciencedocwilk**At_Symbol_Here**juno.com Everything is a hazard. The public needs to know that the toxicity is in the dose. Examples will be cited, e.g. water, salt(NaCl), etc. to demonstrate the accuracy of this statement. Members of the news media are frequently accused of furnishing false, and misleading, information about scientific matters. They are generalists, covering everything, and cannot be expected to know details about matters of science. Certain groups take advantage of that. It is up to reputable scientists to make available correct, and impartial, information to reporters. Suggestions will be made how to accomplish this, specifically as far as members of the American Chemical Society are concerned. We must "respect the press and get to know reporters...and never lie to them" (J.A.B.III).
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