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Previous by Date: Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Water Bath recall? Date: August 30, 2012 12:23:12 PM EDT Author: Brady Arnold

Next by Date: Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Microbiology procedures for use of Bunsen burners? Date: August 30, 2012 12:48:57 PM EDT Author: "Vivian L. Longacre"

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From: "Chance, Brandon"
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Microbiology procedures for use of Bunsen burners?
Date: August 30, 2012 10:35:47 AM EDT

Nancy, although we do not have a bio program at my current employer, I seem to remember using ethanol and Bunsen burners during loop sterilization when I took microbiology as an undergrad a decade ago. If that was or is standard practice, then eye protection would be a must in my opinion.

Brandon Chance
Sent from my iPhone
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From: Ben Ruekberg
Subject: RE: [DCHAS-L] Microbiology procedures for use of Bunsen burners?
Date: August 30, 2012 2:41:46 AM EDT

Just a thought, but why not have the burner behind a shield. Considering that microbiologists use "no" protection and the imposition of goggles on these students might be overdoing, a shield (splash and possibly UV) would seem an good compromise. This may be easier if the students go to a limited number of burners instead of lighting their own.

Ben

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From: McGrath Edward J
Subject: RE: Microbiology procedures for use of Bunsen burners?
Date: August 30, 2012 10:33:25 AM EDT

I just began as an adjunct instructor at our local community college in microbiology. Our policy is that students wear safety glasses, not safety goggles. When I worked in a clinical microbiology lab, although we didn't wear safety glasses, we did use a laminar flow hood during our procedures, so PPE is not to be discounted (although the barrier was less for Bunsen burners than it was for biohazard protection.

Edward J. McGrath
Science Supervisor
Red Clay Consolidated School District
1502 Spruce Avenue
Wilmington, DE 19805

(302) 552-3768

"Fortune favors the prepared mind." Louis Pasteur

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From: McGrath Edward J
Subject: RE: Microbiology procedures for use of Bunsen burners?
Date: August 30, 2012 10:34:29 AM EDT
To: "DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU"

Also, a Bunsen burner flame can do just as much damage in microbiology as in chemistry. Remember that there are flammable materials in micro (e.g. Gram stain decolorizer).

Edward J. McGrath
Science Supervisor
Red Clay Consolidated School District
1502 Spruce Avenue
Wilmington, DE 19805

(302) 552-3768

"Fortune favors the prepared mind." Louis Pasteur

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From: Melissa Charlton-Smith
Subject: RE: [DCHAS-L] Microbiology procedures for use of Bunsen burners?
Date: August 30, 2012 10:36:30 AM EDT
To: DCHAS-L

My thoughts on this, many professionals use portable incinerators for sterilizing loops which reduces the chance of a "pop" with a "splash" to the eyes. Some perhaps use disposable loops and dispose of the contaminated loop in the hazardous waste bin for autoclaving later. If you are using Bunsen burners to sterilize the loops, especially with "new" microbiology students, I would think the chances of popping (and therefore eye contamination) would be high. Professionals of course have the heatit/killit/burnit technique "down pat" whereas a newbie might rush the process.

I think with students you should continue to maintain the goggle usage, maintain your current policy and don't stand down from itÉbut then I think the professionals need to wear their goggles too! Just my humble 2 cents.

Mel

Mel Charlton-Smith
Chemical Hygiene Officer, Lab Coordinator, Lecturer
BS-CHO program
Department of Chemistry
WV Wesleyan College
Buckhannon, WV 26201

charltonsmith**At_Symbol_Here**wvwc.edu
304-473-8355

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