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Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Periodic Table of Safety Update
Date: Monday, April 8, 2019 at 10:23:40 AM
Author: Amber Wise <amber.wise**At_Symbol_Here**GMAIL.COM> 		Next by Date:
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Indicators - health hazards
Date: Tue, 9 Apr 2019 14:27:36 +0000
Author: Yaritza Brinker

From: Monona Rossol <0000030664c37427-dmarc-request**At_Symbol_Here**LISTS.PRINCETON.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Indicators - health hazards
Date: Mon, 8 Apr 2019 15:54:33 +0000
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Message-ID: 1770899509.1328094.1554738873714**At_Symbol_Here**mail.yahoo.com
In-Reply-To <5cab5258.1c69fb81.17aaf.e5dd**At_Symbol_Here**mx.google.com>


You'd be amazed at how many dyes have not been studied for cancer effects like methyl violet has.  Many of those other dyes probably also are carcinogens or break down to release cancer-causing chemicals.  Take a look at the structure of any of the azo dyes and mentally split them apart at their --N=N-- bonds and see what you get. 


But the secret to industrial hygiene is "no one was ever harmed by a chemical to which they were not exposed."  So contact Kimberly Clark about methyl violet's ability to penetrate those flimsy nitrile gloves and maybe go up a few mils in thickness.  And do the work in the fume hoods, etc.  

In other words, if they don't get it on their skin or up their noses, who cares if it is a carcinogen or not?  

And then treat all of the indicator dyes with the same respect.  They deserve it.

Monona


-----Original Message-----
From: Kirk Hunter <kirk.p.hunter**At_Symbol_Here**GMAIL.COM>
To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Sent: Mon, Apr 8, 2019 10:09 am
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Indicators - health hazards

Hi All,
 
A biology faculty member asked me about indicators and stains. I thought I would present this question to the list and get your collective wisdom.  
 
Does anyone have any experience with the hazards of indicators/stains in general, specifically crystal violet which has been recently identified as a potential carcinogen? What do you do?  Are special handling methods needed for the solutions? The SDSs identifies health problems with the solids for many of the indicators which suggest special handling is needed. However, for solutions, the hazards are given as either nonexistent or very low and only required usual PPE (gloves, eye protection, ventilation, etc.).  Crystal violet is of specific concern at the present moment.
 
The application is in a biology/microbiology lab. The indicators/stains arrive at the lab already as solutions, so their preparation is done by someone else - either purchased as solutions or prepared by the stockroom tech.
 
Thanks in advance!
 
Kirk Hunter
Waxahachie, Texas
 
 
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