subject: Different Types Of Lab Safety Products On The Market [print this page] In the lab, the use of safety equipment is always necessary. The type and amount of safety equipment necessary depends on the lab work you do. Lab safety glasses, gloves and other protective gear tend to be the more frequently thought of when you approach the subject of safety equipment, but there are more than just those items when dealing with safety in the lab setting.
For instance, the type of lab flooring is important in many cases. Not only should the flooring be of a non-slip nature, but according to many lab safety guides, the flooring also needs to be of one-piece construction that covers to the wall.
Continuous floor covering reduces the chance that it may absorb any liquid and allows you to clean the surface easily. You also need to keep the flooring free from seams, cracks and rough surfaces where it can trap contamination.The flooring should also be chemical resistant.
Another type of lab safety equipment is laminar flow hoods. These hoods are part of the aseptic techniques used to produce a sterile environment to maintain high quality air while performing some procedures.
The laminar hood provides airflow, normally referred to as laminar airflow because it's smooth and not turbulent. The hood filters the air before it enters the work place so it prevents the potential contamination of the project by microorganisms.
Lab safety equipment such as lab gloves, help protect both the project and those doing the work. The type of gloves you use for lab work depends on the substance that you handle. Not all lab gloves are the same.
Some of the disposable lab gloves are ideal to prevent contamination and cross contamination of specimens. These types of gloves are normally quite thin, often 4 to 8 mils thick. You never reuse these gloves but simply dispose of them as hazardous waste.
Reusable gloves, on the other hand, are more durable and thicker than their disposable counterparts are. These types of gloves are best when handling highly hazardous or aggressive chemicals. While all gloves are permeable, the composition, fatigue, thickness, length of contact and type of materials you handle dictate the best type of glove to use in your situation.
In order to purchase the glove that best fits your laboratory need, you should first note all the potential problems with the types of materials you handle. Chemicals that are highly toxic or have carcinogenic effects require you take special consideration when selecting gloves for your lab.
Lab gloves use several different types of materials. Those made from viton TM resist aromatic and chlorinated solvents but they're very expensive. The gloves made from butyl have excellent resistance to ketones, aldehydes and ester but are also expensive.
Nitrile gloves off a wide range of applications and they tend to be puncture resistant and resistant to abrasion. If, however, you're working with acids, alcohols or caustics, consider the use of gloves made from neoprene. PVC gloves are also good but they do not protect you from organic solvents.
In order to maintain better dexterity, flexible laminates, natural rubber or latex offers it. The laminate severs well as a liner under reusable gloves to increase chemical resistance and still maintain tactile sensitivity and dexterity. While you might find that natural rubber or latex gloves are good for a large number of applications, be aware that many people have allergies to latex and that could limit the use.
