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Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Toxic dust handling
Date: June 26, 2012 1:10:03 PM EDT
Author: Laurence Doemeny 		Next by Date:
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From: Jean & Ken Smith <smith.j.k**At_Symbol_Here**SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Toxic dust handling
Date: June 26, 2012 4:03:24 PM EDT
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: <1B4D1665F78352429F7714A6540EB0362942614D**At_Symbol_Here**MBXE-01.exchange.cornell.edu>

At one point in my past work as a CIH, we required the teratogenic compounds
to be used in a glove box. It was felt that the dusts in a fume hood might
escape and contaminate the local area. Since they are reactive in minute
quantities, all best practices were to be used.
Ken Smith

-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of
Ralph B Stuart
Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2012 9:42 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Toxic dust handling

A question has arisen here about the best practices for handling dusts known
to be unusually toxic, such as teratogens or mutagens. It appears from
google searches that many academic Standard Operating Procedures recommend
using these dusts in a fume hood. This seems counter-intuitive to me, as
strong air flows around these dusts would seem to create a housekeeping
challenge by dispersing the dust around the use area. This could lead to
unnecessary contamination of someone's hands as they work with the material.
In addition, the ergonomics of performing delicate operations, such as
handling dusts, in a hood can be a challenge due to their one size fits all
nature.

Prudent Practices indicates that highly toxic dusts should be used in a
hood, but that seems to be rolled up in the same recommendation as for
handling gases and vapors. It seems to me that dusts present distinct
hygiene challenges from gases and vapors. I wonder if anyone has addressed
this issue with specific rules that distinguish between these kinds of
chemicals?

Thanks for any information about this.

- Ralph

Ralph Stuart CIH
Laboratory Ventilation Specialist
Department of Environmental Health and Safety
Cornell University

rstuart**At_Symbol_Here**cornell.edu

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