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 Eyewear Will you be using heat, glassware, or chemicals in the lab? If so, use protective eyewear. Chemical splash (indirect-vent) goggles Designed specifically for chemical-splash protection, these allow the free movement of air but prevent the direct passage of liquid. They are appropriate for activities involving potentially hazardous fluids such as corrosive acids and bases.
Ventless goggles Designed for activities with the potential for chemical splashes and dangerous vapors, these have no venting and prevent passage of dust, mist, and vapor. To prevent lens fogging that may occur without venting, many of today’s ventless goggles offer anti-fog coatings. Direct-vent goggles Designed for use where impact is the only hazard, these tend to be more comfortable and less expensive than ventless goggles. When there is no danger of chemical splashes or vapors, these are a good choice. Safety spectacles Also designed for impact protection only, most current models offer wraparound side shields that provide almost as much coverage as direct-vent goggles. Safety visors and splash shields Designed to be used only in conjunction with the appropriate safety eyewear, these afford extra protection to the face and neck against splashes and flying objects. Gloves  These are an excellent choice for chemistry labs and for biology dissections. They offer superior resistance to tears and to the widest array of chemicals, including acids, bases, and organic solvents. They are available as sturdy utility gloves and as thinner, more tactilely sensitive disposable gloves. Vinyl gloves These are appropriate for general lab use, such as setting up microbial cultures and washing labware. They offer some protection against corrosive materials such as sodium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite solutions. Polyethylene gloves These are used in labs primarily for working with soils and other nontoxic materials (e.g., dilute aqueous solutions of acids, bases, and salts). These simple, inexpensive gloves do offer good protection against small drops and splatter. Latex and latex-free exam gloves These gloves are lighter than nitrile gloves but are not quite as resistant to tear. They are a good choice for most routine lab activities, including dissection and handling of animal tissues. They protect against dilute acids and bases and tissue irritants (e.g., stains and various salt solutions) but not against organic solvents. Aprons Nitrile aprons These aprons offer superior resistance to most types of chemicals. They are appropriate when heavy-duty protection is needed or for instructors and students who are in the lab every day. Rubberized cloth aprons These waterproof, tear-resistant aprons protect against most chemicals, including acids and most solvents. They offer several years of use and are the best choice for most chemistry labs. Vinyl aprons These are good for general lab use. They protect clothing against liquids and most of the chemicals used in student labs. They are an excellent choice for most life science laboratories. They are thinner and less durable than rubberized cloth but will offer 1 to 2 years of use. Tyvek® aprons Light and comfortable, these offer protection against many types of school lab chemicals and are tear resistant. Even so, they will not withstand constant use as well as vinyl or rubberized cloth. They are less expensive and are a good choice for courses with only occasional labwork. | ||||||
