Safety Procedures

Question 1

In what order are chemical substances arranged and why? (2)

Answer 1

1. Alphabetically

2. Make it easier to locate certain chemicals

Question 2

How should strong oxidizers and strong reducing agents be stored?

Answer 2

Strong oxidizers and strong reducing agents (they’re opposites) should be stored SEPARATELY from each other

Question 3

What should strong oxidizers and strong reducing agents be protected from? (3)

Answer 3

1. Shock
2. Bright sunlight
3. Heat

Question 4

How should organic solvents be stored? (2)

Answer 4

1. In small quantifies only

2. In metal containers in cool areas of the lab

Question 5

Are solvents fire hazards?

Answer 5

Yes

Question 6

What may cause “flash backs”?

Answer 6

Vapours of solvents may travel to areas where burner flames are used, and ignite = flash back

Question 7

How should ether be stored? (4)

Answer 7

1. Full container
2. Air-tight container
3. Amber glass bottles or safety cans
4. In the dark

Question 8

What will form when ether is exposed to air and sunlight ?

Answer 8

Explosive peroxides

Question 9

What 2 things would cause ether to form explosive peroxides? (2)

Answer 9

1. Air

2. Sunlight

Question 10

Can ether be stored in the fridge?

Answer 10

NO

Question 11

What does mercury do at room temperature?

Answer 11

Form a toxic vapour

Question 12

How should mercury be stored? (3)

Answer 12

1. Airtight container
2. Away from direct sunlight
3. Kept as cold as possible

Question 13

What happens to picric acid when it’s dry?

Answer 13

Picric acid explodes when dry

Question 14

How should picric acid be stored and handled? (2)

Answer 14

1. Stored under water at all times

2. Glass stopper of bottle must be moistened with water before removal and replacement

Question 15

How should acids be stored? (3)

Answer 15

1. In glass stopper bottles with a glass drip tray
2. Larger volumes (more than 500mL) must be kept at floor level
3. Cannot be stored with alkali substances or other reactive chemicals

Question 16

When does ammoniacal silver form explosive precipitates?

Answer 16

Upon standing (left standing)

Question 17

What happens when ammoniacal silver upon standing?

Answer 17

It forms explosive precipitates

Question 18

What are the 3 kinds of chemicals that you should handle in a biological safety cabinet (BSC)? (3)

Answer 18

1. Strong acids
2. Strong bases
3. Dangerous chemicals

Question 19

State the the precautions for pouring, mixing, and transporting chemicals. (3)

Answer 19

1. To pour → always pour dangerous chemicals at eye level (avoid splashes in the eye)
2. To mix → always add acid/base to water
3. To transport → large bottles are transported in acid bottle carriers to reduce the chance of accidental breakage

Question 20

What 3 things must you always wear prior to handling chemicals - zero excuses? (3)

Answer 20

1. Gloves
2. Apron
3. Goggles

Question 21

What should you refer to prior to or when you handle a chemical?

Answer 21

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Question 22

Where should carcinogenic substances be handled?

Answer 22

In the laminar flow hood (biological safety cabinet class II)

Question 23

What are two important facts about the dangers of Drabkin’s reagent? (2)

Answer 23

1. Extremely toxic

2. Contains cyanide

Question 24

What is Crystal Violet used in and what is a unique danger it poses? (2)

Answer 24

1. Crystal violet is used in gram staining

2. It is clastogenic (causes breaks in chromosomes)

Question 25

What do you refer to when unsure of how to dispose of chemicals?

Answer 25

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

Question 26

What are the 2 major rules to follow when disposing of chemicals?

Answer 26

1. Never dispose of multiple chemicals or reagents at the same time in the container or sink
   2, When disposing of toxic chemicals down the drain, turn the cold water on high and use it to flush the pipes