Chemical
Spillage
Nature/Causes:
- Small-scale spillage
of chemicals during transfer.
- Spillage of mercury
from broken mercury thermometers or from its container.
- Incorrect techniques
exercised by students in using apparatus such as separating funnel.
Safety
Precautions:
- Spilled chemicals should
be contained and removed following proper procedures. Detailed handling methods
for chemical spillage can be found in the Handbook on Safety in Science Laboratories.
- Telfon coated mercury
thermometers may be used to reduce the problems of durability and spill cleanup.
In the event of breakage the Telfon coating can contain the mercury.