6flinnsci.com CHEMICALS SHOULD I PURCHASE THIS CHEMICAL?
31 Should I Purchase This Chemical?
Has your state or school district started to prohibit the use of certain chemicals in your science laboratory? This
is a growing problem! Banning chemicals from the school science laboratory without giving thought to how often
the chemical is used or its educational value and hazard level is similar to banning a textbook from the classroom.
Teaching professionals must have available to them every teaching tool possible to educate our nation’s young
people. Flinn Scientific has adopted the philosophy that:
“Chemicals in any form can be safely stored, handled or used if the physical, chemical and hazardous
properties are fully understood and the necessary precautions, including the use of proper safeguards and
personal protective equipment, are observed.”
Important Questions to Ask Before
Purchasing a Chemical
What is the relative hazard
level of the chemical?
Is the chemical reactive to water or air? Is it corrosive,
flammable or hazardous by inhalation? Is the chemical
irritating to body tissue or carcinogenic? In other words,
how can this chemical hurt me?
How often is the chemical
used in laboratory experiments
and/or demonstrations?
Is the chemical commonly used in a high school setting?
What is the educational
value of using the chemical?
What specific topic or lesson does the chemical help
teach or illustrate? If the chemical is commonly used in
other laboratory activities, you can generally say it has
educational value. If the chemical is infrequently used
and extremely hazardous, then we suggest you review
the specific laboratory activity to judge its educational
value for yourself. Further investigation may identify a less
hazardous substitute. Only you, the teaching professional,
can ultimately decide the chemical’s educational value.
Have I used this substance
before?
Am I familiar with the use of the chemical? Have I tried
the experiment before? Do I feel comfortable using this
chemical?
Remember, try all experiments and demonstrations first
before using them in the classroom.
Is my laboratory facility
equipped for the safe use
of this chemical?
Do I have the correct type and size of fire extinguisher?
Do I have an eyewash? Is my room properly ventilated?
How will I dispose of
this chemical?
Will this chemical require special disposal procedures?
Does my school have a waste disposal program in place?
Will the chemical have to be disposed of properly by a
licensed hazardous waste disposal company?
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If you have trouble answering one or more of these
six questions, call us. Our technical staff of chemists
will be more than happy to give you expert advice!
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