1% of chemicals end up on benches in undergrad labs

An image showing chemistry students in a laboratory

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First effort to quantify spillages points way to improving chemical handling

Undergraduate chemistry students doing a practical lab at York University spilt around 1% of the volume of chemicals they handled. In the worst cases students spilled 10% of the total volume, although many spilled little according to research by the department’s safety officer. The safety officers also found that simple feedback could substantially improve undergrads’ chemical handling skills.