Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals, National
Research Council 9 x 11 1/4 inches hardbound, 428 plus xv pages, National Academy Press,
Washington DC 1995. $54.95 plus $4.00 shipping and handling from National Academy Press,
2101 Constitution Avenue NW, Lockbox 285, Washington DC 20055.
This long awaited volume replaces two earlier books--Prudent Practices for Handling
Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories (1981) and Prudent Practices for Disposal of
Chemicals from Laboratories (1983), both published by the National Research Council. The
committee responsible for updating the earlier works decided to combine them into one volume
and to review the recommendations in light of changes in society and technology. Increasing
governmental compliance, the pressure of public interest groups, advances in techniques of risk
assesment and technology, and the changing culture of safety prompted this total revision.
After looking at the culture of laboratory safety and distinguishing between academic and
industrial labs, the book proceeds with experimental design and execution, bringing in safety
considerations at every step. The roles of chemical hygiene plans and material safety data sheets
are pointed out as a part of assessing the risk of using new chemicals.
Management of chemicals brings into play controls such as inventory, storage of chemicals,
recycling, and source reduction. The chapter on working with chemicals includes such aspects as
minimizing exposure, housekeeping, transport, disposal, and responding to accidents and
emergencies.
The chapter on laboratory equipment encourages safe use of electrical equipment, heating
devices, radiation instruments, compressed gases, high and low temperature and pressure
reactions, and personal protective equipment. Several brief descriptions of laboratory accidents
serve as reminders to the importance of this chapter.
Waste disposal merits its own chapter with discussions of hazardous vs non-hazardous
waste, spill cleanup and disposal, and in-lab treatment of hazardous materials. The discussion of
laboratory facilities covers the proper operation of fume hoods. Another chapter reviews
governmental regulation of laboratories by OSHA, RCRA, TSCA, CAA, FWPCA and others
governing safety and waste disposal.
Half of the book is devoted to two appendices. These cover the Chemical Hygiene Plan and
safety summaries for nearly one hundred different lab chemicals. An index concludes the
volume. Unfortunately there is no bibliography, although acknowledgment is given to an
extensive list of people who were consulted in preparation of this book.
The text is an excellent review of fundamental laboratory safety with guidlines for the
proper handling and disposal of lab chemicals. Highly recommened for teaching labs,
governmental research labs and industrial laboratories.
