Exposure and Risk in the Laboratory

A special issue of Laboratories (ISSN 2813-8856).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2025) | Viewed by 2261

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
School of Occupational and Public Health, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
Interests: exposure assessment; evaluation of interventions; risk assessment; hazardous drugs; food processing; quantitative analysis
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A laboratory is a setting known for research and development, student learning opportunities, and discovering new knowledge.  However, what many do not realize is that a laboratory is associated with numerous hazards, including chemicals such as solvents and acids, biological agents such as bacteria and other infectious agents, physical agents such as radiation and noise, safety hazards such as moving parts and slips, as well as ergonomic hazards such as awkward postures and poor lighting.  One or more of these hazards can be found within a single laboratory.  All these hazards represent short-term and long-term risks to lab users and visitors.  There have been numerous reports of fatalities occurring in both academic and industrial laboratories (https://www.labsafety.org/memorial-wall).  Despite our awareness of the importance of health and safety, these fatal incidents are still occurring to this day.  It is therefore important to obtain evidence-based data regarding the magnitude of the exposures and associated risks to protect the hundreds of thousands of workers and students who work in laboratory settings.  This Special Issue aims to publish cutting-edge research that examines exposure and risk in the laboratory to prevent incidents from occurring in these settings.

Dr. Chun-Yip Hon
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • academic laboratory
  • industrial laboratory
  • exposure assessment
  • risk analyses
  • mitigation of risk

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

10 pages, 206 KiB  
Review
Chemicals in Medical Laboratory and Its Impact on Healthcare Workers and Biotic Factors: Analysis Through the Prism of Environmental Bioethics
by Manjeshwar Shrinath Baliga, Rashmi T. D’souza, Lal P. Madathil, Russell F. DeSouza, Arnadi R. Shivashankara and Princy L. Palatty
Laboratories 2025, 2(3), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/laboratories2030014 - 4 Jul 2025
Viewed by 325
Abstract
From an occupational health perspective, if not stored, handled, and disposed of properly, laboratory chemicals exhibit hazardous properties such as flammability, corrosion, and explosibility. Additionally, they can also cause a range of health effects in handlers, including irritation, sensitization, and carcinogenicity. Additionally, the [...] Read more.
From an occupational health perspective, if not stored, handled, and disposed of properly, laboratory chemicals exhibit hazardous properties such as flammability, corrosion, and explosibility. Additionally, they can also cause a range of health effects in handlers, including irritation, sensitization, and carcinogenicity. Additionally, the chemical waste generated during the planned assay is a significant byproduct and, if left untreated, can cause detrimental effects on both living organisms and non-living elements when released into the environment. Chemically, laboratory waste contains reagents, organic and inorganic compounds, and diagnostic stains. These agents are more toxic and hazardous than residential waste and affect the personnel handling them and the environments in which they are released. Considering this, it is crucial to adhere to waste management regulations during the various stages including generation, segregation, collection, storage, transportation, and treatment. This is extremely important and necessary if we are to avoid harm to individuals and environmental contamination. This review encompasses the examination of laboratory medical waste, various categories of chemical waste, and strategies to minimize and ensure the safe disposal of these toxic agents. As far as the authors are aware, this is the first review that focuses on the effects of laboratory-generated chemical wastes and environmental ethics. This is a neglected topic in healthcare education, and this review will serve as a valuable resource for students. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exposure and Risk in the Laboratory)
13 pages, 511 KiB  
Review
Comprehensive Assessment of Carbon Disulfide Exposure in Laboratories—Air and Biological Monitoring Approaches
by Jimmy Hu
Laboratories 2024, 1(3), 135-147; https://doi.org/10.3390/laboratories1030011 - 6 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1316
Abstract
Carbon disulfide (CS2) is a highly toxic and flammable solvent extensively used in chemical processes and laboratory analyses. This review examines both air and biological monitoring methods for assessing the exposure of laboratory workers to CS2. Emphasis is placed [...] Read more.
Carbon disulfide (CS2) is a highly toxic and flammable solvent extensively used in chemical processes and laboratory analyses. This review examines both air and biological monitoring methods for assessing the exposure of laboratory workers to CS2. Emphasis is placed on the measurement of airborne CS2 concentrations and the monitoring of 2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (TTCA) in urine, a key biomarker of exposure. By analysing case studies and practical applications, the paper outlines the effectiveness and limitations of current monitoring techniques. Additionally, the review addresses key challenges such as CS2 volatility, dietary influence on biomarker levels, and the sufficiency of protective measures, including nitrile gloves. It also proposes best practices to mitigate exposure, such as improved ventilation, the use of polyvinyl alcohol gloves, and the substitution of CS2 with less hazardous solvents. This comprehensive review underscores the need for continuous vigilance in managing chemical exposure and offers insights into how laboratories can better protect their workers by integrating air and biological monitoring strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exposure and Risk in the Laboratory)
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