Name: Nathaniel Franz Al Y.
Mansinadez Date: August 27, 2024
Course Title and Schedule: CHEM 105B Mon-Tue 3-6 pm Score: ____________________
Degree Program: BS Psychology (2A)
Exercise No. 2
Chemicals, Safety Precautions, and the Chemical Laboratory
Introduction:
Safety in the laboratory critically depends on the knowledge of chemical names and
structures, the understanding of chemical reactivity and potential hazards, the proper labeling of
chemicals, and careful attention.
The American Chemical Society’s Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) has developed an
identification system in which each chemical is given a unique number.
Commercial suppliers of chemicals, such as Sigma-Aldrich and Acros Organics, have
electronic searchable databases of the names, structures, CAS numbers, properties, and hazard
information associated with every chemical that they sell. Those databases are among the most
convenient places to go for information: http://www.sigmaaldrich.com and http//www.acros.com
Objectives:
1. Identify chemicals and understand chemical hazards
2. Classify and define labeling chemicals for identifying the hazards
3. Define terminologies associated with chemical hazards
Results and Discussion:
1. Globally Harmonized System (GHS) Pictograms
2-3. (Separate Sheets).
4. The NFPA 704 label, developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), is
also referred to as the four-diamond hazard label. It is utilized for recognizing material
dangers during emergencies, specifically for first responders. The diamond-shaped label
is split into four smaller diamonds, with each one symbolizing a distinct hazard type.
1. Risk to Health (Blue Diamond): This shows how much health danger is linked to the
substance.
- 0: No danger.
- 1: Minor risk.
- 2: Low to medium risk.
-3: Significant danger.
- 4 indicates an extreme danger that may result in death.
2. Flammability Hazard (Red Diamond): Indicates the likelihood of the material igniting.
- 0: Not prone to burning.
- 1: Sparks only after a substantial amount of priming.
- 2: Will catch fire when heated moderately.
- 3: Combusts at typical temperatures.
- 4: Highly prone to catching fire easily.
3. Potential for Explosions/Reactions (Yellow Diamond): This diamond shows the
material's likelihood to explode or undergo chemical reactions.
- 0: Unchanging.
- 1: Typically steady, but can transform into unsteady under high temperatures and
pressures.
- 2: Prone to sudden chemical reactions with a high level of violence.
- 3: Could detonate if exposed to electricity or heat while contained.
- 4: There is a possibility of explosion under regular temperatures and pressures.
4. Unique danger (White Diamond): This category is designated for distinct dangers,
often represented by symbols or abbreviations, like:
- OX: Oxidizing agent (has the potential to initiate or intensify the burning of other
substances).
- ACID: Substance with a high acidity level.
- ALK: Substance that is alkaline.
- W (with a line through it): Has a hazardous reaction with water.
- COR: Substance that can cause damage through chemical reaction.
These diamonds swiftly offer crucial details, aiding in the implementation of necessary safety
precautions in times of crisis.
Conclusion:
Safety is of the utmost importance in a chemical laboratory, necessitating strict compliance with
established procedures and safety measures. Having knowledge about the characteristics of
substances, like their ability to catch fire and interact with other materials, is crucial in order to
avoid mishaps. Using safety equipment such as fume hoods and emergency stations correctly
leads to a secure work environment. By adhering to safety protocols, lab workers can reduce
dangers and safeguard themselves and their coworkers. In the end, prioritizing safety
significantly improves the efficiency and dependability of lab procedures.
Answer to Questions
1. Name five important safety features that should be found in the laboratory.
- Ventilation Hood: A ventilation hood is necessary for conducting experiments with
volatile chemicals, toxic fumes, or dangerous substances safely, as it aids in trapping and
removing harmful vapors.
Emergency Eyewash and Shower Facilities: These facilities offer rapid decontamination
in the event of chemical splashes on the eyes or skin, aiding in mitigating severe injuries.
Fire Extinguishers and Fire Blankets: It is essential to have fire extinguishers and fire
blankets in the right locations to promptly deal with small fires or control flames before
they escalate.
Kits for Chemical Spills: These kits contain absorbent materials, neutralizing agents, and
personal protective gear for the safe handling and cleanup of chemical spills.
First Aid Kit: It is important to have a properly equipped emergency kit on hand to
quickly treat minor injuries like cuts, burns, or chemical exposure until medical
assistance can be obtained.
2. A procedure calls for you to dissolve a compound in hot ethanol. Using one of the
suggested sources, look up the boiling point and flammability of ethanol. What is the best
method for heating ethanol?
- Ethanol's boiling point is around 78.37°C, while its flash point is about 13°C, making it
highly flammable. Because ethanol is highly flammable, caution must be taken when
heating it to avoid fires or explosions.
Using a water bath is the most secure method to heat ethanol. In this technique, the vessel
containing ethanol is placed in a bigger container filled with water and then heated. This
method of heating indirectly reduces the chance of ignition by avoiding direct contact
between ethanol and sources of heat such as flames or hot plates. The water bath prevents
the ethanol from reaching its boiling point, making accidents less likely.
References:
American Chemical Society. (2021). Safety in the academic chemistry laboratory (8th ed.). ACS
Publications. https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/about/governance/committees/
chemicalsafety/publications/safety-in-the-academic-chemistry-laboratory-students.pdf
National Center for Biotechnology Information. (n.d.). Globally Harmonized System of
Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). PubChem. Retrieved August 24, 2024,
from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ghs/#_pict
National Fire Protection Association. (2021). NFPA 704: Standard system for the identification
of the hazards of materials for emergency response. NFPA. https://www.nfpa.org/codes-
and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=704
National Research Council. (2011). Prudent practices in the laboratory: Handling and
management of chemical hazards (Updated ed.). The National Academies Press.
https://doi.org/10.17226/12654
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Hazard communication standard labels.
United States Department of Labor. https://www.osha.gov/labels
Thermo Fisher Scientific. (n.d.). Methane. Thermo Fisher Scientific. Retrieved August 24, 2024,
from https://www.thermofisher.com/search/results?
query=methane&persona=DocSupport&filter=document.result_type_s
%3ASDS&refinementAction=true
Thermo Fisher Scientific. (2023, March 20). Safety data sheet: Bis(dimethylphosphino).
Retrieved from https://assets.thermofisher.com/DirectWebViewer/private/document.aspx?
prd=ALFAA39275~~PDF~~MTR~~ASNZ~~EN~~2023-03-
20%2008:04:10~~Bis(dimethylphosphino
