Safety in a Research Laboratory

Adapted from a project by Gwen Crevensten

Photograph by Lee Jennings

You are a new researcher in this laboratory, and part of your job is to prepare and run polyacridamide gels. You read the descriptions of the hazardous reagents involved in this procedure, and find that the ethidium bromide used to stain the DNA is a strong carcinogen. You also notice that acetone (a component of nail polish remover) was listed as a dangerous substance, and should never be breathed or touched. As you are working, you notice several other employees touching the gels containing ethidium bromide and then touching faucets or door handles and see people disposing of the gels in the garbage instead of into the collection jar in the hood.

What, if anything, should you do?