Medical Laboratory Assistant/Technician Program Notes

Medical Laboratory Assistant/Technician Program Notes

Course Overview

• Institution: Anderson College

• Focus Area: Specialization in health hazards and chemical storage in laboratory settings for medical testing and research.

• Objective: Equip students with the knowledge and skills to handle, store, and dispose of biological and chemical materials in compliance with established safety guidelines and regulations to ensure a safe working environment.

Readings

• CSMLS Laboratory Safety Guidelines (9th Ed.) by Eoin O’Grady

  • Section 7.3: Health Hazards (p.54)

  • Section 7.4: Physical Hazards (pp. 55–58)

  • Section 7.5: Chemical Storage Guidelines (pp. 58-60)

Health and Physical Hazards

• Definition: Health and physical hazards refer to risks associated with laboratory operations that can adversely affect health and safety of personnel involved in laboratory work.

• Health Hazards include the following categories:

  • Toxicity: Refers to how harmful a substance is, with various tiers of risk.

  • Lethality: The capacity to cause death, often measured by metrics such as LD50 (the lethal dose for 50% of a population) and LC50 (the lethal concentration affecting 50% of a population over a specific time).

  • Carcinogenicity: The potential of a substance to induce cancer in living tissue and the mechanisms underlying this effect.

  • Corrosivity: Refers to a chemical's capacity to cause visible destruction of living tissue or severe corrosion of material.

  • Allergic Reactions: Immune system reactions that can range from mild to life-threatening, which may arise from exposure to various substances.

  • Reproductive Effects: Hazards that can impact fertility, pregnancy outcomes and child health.

  • Neurological Effects: Potential neurological impairments resulting from exposure to certain chemicals, affecting cognitive and motor functions.

  • Diseases of the Organs: Various conditions resulting from exposure that can affect vital organs like the liver, kidneys, and lungs.

Measures of Toxicity

• Lethal Dose (LD50): Defines the amount of exposure that results in the death of 50% of a test population. This is crucial in risk assessment for chemical exposure.

• Lethal Concentration (LC50): Represents the concentration of a substance in air that results in the death of 50% of a population over a designated period of time, commonly used for gases and vapors.

• Importance: These measures are essential for classifying health hazards under WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) and for implementing appropriate safety measures.

Exposure Limits

• Definition: These are regulatory limits for exposure to air contaminants, designed to protect workers' health.

• Types of Exposure Limits:

  • Time-Weighted Average (TWA): The average exposure over a typical 8-hour workday, indicative of safe long-term exposure.

  • Short-Term Exposure Limit (STEL): This limit defines safe exposure levels for a maximum of 15 minutes and cannot be exceed more than four times a week.

  • Ceiling Limit: The highest permissible exposure level that should never be exceeded, critical for preventing acute health effects.

Carcinogenicity

• Definition: Refers to materials or substances that have the potential to cause cancer in living organisms.

• Mutagen: A specific type of carcinogen that causes mutations in DNA, which may lead to serious health effects including cancer.

• Safety Precaution: It is vital to adhere to all handling requirements for carcinogens and to read Safety Data Sheets (SDS) with due diligence to avoid exposure and ensure safe laboratory practices.

Corrosivity

• Definition: Chemicals that actively damage or destroy materials on contact, including both living tissues and equipment.

• Examples:

  • Strong Acids: Such as hydrochloric acid (HCl), which can cause severe burns upon contact.

  • Definition of Irritant: Chemicals at low concentrations that may not cause actual damage but can lead to discomfort and inflammation of living tissues.

Reproductive Effects and Hazards

• Definition: Chemicals and other hazards that negatively impact reproductive health, influencing fertility and pregnancy.

• Examples of Hazards:

  • Chemical: Substances like lead and mercury.

  • Physical: Radiation exposures affecting reproductive capabilities.

  • Biological: Pathogens and viruses that can affect maternal health and fetus development.

• Potential Health Effects: These can include idiopathic infertility, increased risk of miscarriage, birth defects, developmental disorders, and long-term health effects on offspring.

Physical Hazards

• Categories:

  • Compressed Gases: Risk of explosions or asphyxiation in enclosed areas.

  • Cryogenics: Risks associated with exposure to extremely low temperatures causing frostbite or asphyxiation.

  • Electricity: Electrical hazards that can lead to shocks or fires in a laboratory setting.

  • Ionizing Radiation: Substances that emit radiation, which can increase cancer risks over time.

  • Temperature Extremes: Risks associated with both extreme heat and cold affecting physical health.

  • Noise: Prolonged exposure leading to hearing loss.

  • Pressure: Risks associated with high-pressure systems causing explosions or rapid decompression.

Chemical Storage

• General Guidelines:

  • Ensure good ventilation in areas where hazardous chemicals are used or stored.

  • Utilize secure storage methods for hazardous chemicals, adhering to legal and institutional requirements.

  • Minimize on-site chemical storage when possible, relying on dedicated chemical storage rooms to prevent accidents.

  • Use shatter-proof containers to prevent leaks and spills, avoid storing glass containers on floors, and maintain protection from heat and sunlight.

  • Always store liquids in stable locations below eye level to prevent falls and spills.

Incompatibility Storage Guidelines

• Segregation categories:

  • Flammables: Must be stored away from oxidizers in a designated flammable cabinet to prevent fire hazards.

  • Acids: Should be separated from oxidizing acids and organic acids, ensuring they are stored in a non-combustible cabinet to minimize risk.

  • Caustics: Should be stored separately from acids, preferably in a dry location to avoid uncontrolled reactions.

  • Oxidizers: Must be stored in non-combustible cabinets well away from flammable materials to prevent explosive reactions.

  • Compressed Gases: Should always be stored upright, secured, and fitted with valve protection caps to prevent leaks or explosions.

  • Reactive Materials: Must be kept away from heat, light, and should be managed with minimal movement to prevent accidental release.

  • Non-volatile Solids: Should be stored on shelves equipped with edge guards to prevent spillage.

Specific Chemical Categories

• Flammables: Common examples include Xylene, Acetone, and various Alcohols which can easily ignite under certain conditions.

• Oxidizers: Chemicals such as Sodium hypochlorite and peroxides that can cause or enhance the combustion of other materials.

• Compressed Gases: Including Oxygen and Carbon dioxide, these can present unique hazards if not handled correctly.

• Reactives: Some materials like Picric Acid and Benzoyl peroxide can react violently under certain conditions and must be stored with care.

• Non-volatile Solids: Common substances such as Agar powders and Sodium compounds must be properly labeled and stored to prevent contamination and ensure safety.

Questions?

• Be prepared to discuss, clarify, and provide additional information on any uncertainties about the content covered, as well as real-world applications and implications in laboratory settings.