Tag: beginner

How to choose gloves to protect your skin from chemicals

Not all lab gloves give the same protection. This guide shows how to choose gloves to protect your skin from chemicals: understand incidental vs extended contact, match glove material and thickness to your reagents, and avoid common mistakes like wearing contaminated gloves for too long.


When you work with organic reagents, you need to choose gloves to protect your skin from chemicals, not just “whatever box is on the bench”. Start by thinking about what you’re handling, whether the contact is incidental or extended, and how long you need protection. Then match glove material, thickness and cuff length to the job, and change gloves as soon as they are contaminated or damaged.

0. Quick buying guide: glove types & example use (for busy readers)

This section is for readers who mainly want to choose gloves to protect your skin from chemicals quickly. The detailed explanation comes after the table.

You can turn the table below into an affiliate block by replacing “Example product” with real products and adding your affiliate links.

In this situation… Choose this type of glove Example product (affiliate)
Weighing solids, making small transfers, or briefly handling common organic solvents (such as acetone, ethanol, ethyl acetate, hexane). Type of contact: incidental.
Use: thin disposable nitrile exam gloves.
Look for: powder-free, about 3–5 mil thickness, good fit, basic chemical-resistance data for common solvents. Not for immersing your hands in liquids. 		Medical Soft Max™ Nitrile Exam Gloves, 100 count, blue, latex-free and powder-free
Washing glassware with solvent, or frequently handling bottles and flasks that may have solvent on the outside. Type of contact: incidental → borderline extended.
Use: thicker disposable nitrile gloves.
Look for: 6–8 mil or above, preferably with an extended cuff; better tear resistance and longer breakthrough time than thin exam gloves. 		TitanFlex Heavy Duty Black Nitrile Disposable Gloves, 8 mil, raised diamond texture
Longer tasks with one or two specific solvents (for example ketones or esters), where splashes are likely. Type of contact: extended.
Use: reusable chemical-resistant gloves — often butyl rubber for ketones/esters, or nitrile / neoprene depending on the solvent.
Look for: listed in the manufacturer’s chemical-resistance chart for your solvent, and rated for extended contact. Often worn over thin nitrile inner gloves. 		Guardian CP-14 Smooth Finish Butyl Gloves, long cuff, large size
Working with strong acids or bases, especially when heated or in larger quantities. Type of contact: extended.
Use: neoprene or heavy-duty nitrile chemical-resistant gloves.
Look for: clearly labelled for strong acids/bases, with cuffs long enough to overlap the lab coat sleeve. 		Heavy-duty neoprene–rubber chemical-resistant gloves (2 pairs), long cuff, EN 374 rated
Handling very hazardous chemicals that are readily absorbed through the skin (certain carcinogens or highly toxic reagents). Type of contact: extended, high hazard.
Use: multilayer laminate gloves (for example Norfoil / Silver Shield) over thin nitrile gloves.
Look for: broad-spectrum laminate glove used as an outer layer, plus disposable nitrile inside for comfort and easier removal. Always follow your local safety officer’s advice. 		Optional: Honeywell North Silver Shield multilayer laminate gloves (PE/EVOH), long cuff

On ChemNorth, we only link to gloves that have at least basic chemical-resistance information available. The examples are not the only correct options; always check the SDS and your lab’s PPE rules.

1. Why glove choice matters in a chemical lab

In an organic chemistry lab, gloves are one of the simplest ways to protect your skin from chemicals, but only if they are chosen and used properly.

The wrong gloves can:

  • Give a false sense of security if they permeate quickly.
  • Fail silently – a thin glove can let solvent through long before it tears.
  • Spread contamination if you keep using them after a spill.

This guide shows how to choose gloves to protect your skin from chemicals in everyday lab work, especially organic chemistry, so that your PPE matches the real risks of your experiments.

2. Step 1 – Understand your exposure: incidental vs extended contact

Most university glove guides start by distinguishing two basic situations:

  • Incidental contact
    • Small splashes, short handling of bottles, brief contact when weighing or transferring.
    • Typical of many student labs and quick bench tasks.
  • Extended contact
    • Hands immersed in liquids or cleaning baths.
    • Handling heavily contaminated items.
    • Long tasks with the same hazardous liquid where permeation time matters.

Thin disposable gloves are designed primarily for incidental contact, not for keeping your hands in solvent for an hour.

Before you choose gloves, ask:

  1. What chemicals am I using?
    • Look at each SDS (Safety Data Sheet).
    • Note whether the chemical is corrosive, irritating, toxic, or absorbed through skin.
  2. How will I be using them?
    • Small volumes vs. large quantities.
    • Occasional splashes vs. continuous handling.
  3. Do I expect incidental contact, or extended contact?
    • If extended contact is likely, you will need more substantial gloves than thin disposables.

3. Step 2 – Choose glove material

No single glove material protects against all chemicals. Always check:

  • The SDS recommendations for glove type.
  • The manufacturer’s chemical-resistance chart for breakthrough times.

Below are the most common materials in organic labs.

3.1 Nitrile – everyday workhorse for organic labs

For most organic chemistry teaching and research labs, nitrile is the standard disposable glove material:

  • Good resistance to many organic solvents, oils and greases.
  • Better puncture resistance than latex.
  • Latex-free – suitable for people with natural rubber allergy.
  • Widely available in different thicknesses and cuff lengths.

Limitations:

  • Strong oxidising acids and some aggressive solvents can still permeate nitrile.
  • For long or heavy exposure, you may need thicker nitrile or a different material.

Thin nitrile exam gloves are suitable for incidental contact with many common lab chemicals – not for immersing your hands in solvent.

3.2 Latex – dexterity but limited chemical protection

Natural rubber latex gloves:

  • Have excellent flexibility and dexterity.
  • Are widely used for biological and water-based work.

However:

  • Many organic solvents permeate latex quickly.
  • Latex can cause allergic reactions in some users.
  • For organic lab work, latex offers limited chemical protection and often performs poorly against organic solvents.

In many labs, latex is avoided or restricted. For chemical protection, nitrile is usually preferred.

3.3 Neoprene, butyl, Viton® – reusable chemical-resistant gloves

For extended contact with hazardous liquids, labs often use thicker reusable gloves made from:

  • Neoprene – good for some acids and solvents.
  • Butyl rubber – useful for ketones and esters.
  • Viton® – good for certain aggressive organic solvents and chemicals.

These gloves are usually worn over a thin nitrile glove:

  • The inner nitrile glove improves comfort and makes removal easier.
  • The outer glove provides the main chemical resistance.

Always match the glove material to the specific chemicals you use, based on manufacturer data.

3.4 Laminate gloves (Norfoil / Silver Shield) for highly toxic chemicals

For highly toxic chemicals that are readily absorbed through the skin, many safety guides recommend multilayer laminate gloves such as Norfoil / Silver Shield as an outer layer:

  • Broad-spectrum resistance to a wide range of chemicals.
  • Stiff, with poor fit and limited dexterity.
  • Often worn over a thin nitrile glove to maintain some finger movement.

These gloves are usually used for special high-hazard cases, not for everyday bench work.

4. Step 3 – Thickness, cuff length and fit

Even within the same material (e.g. nitrile), design details matter.

4.1 Thickness

  • Thin exam nitrile (≈ 3–5 mil / 0.07–0.12 mm)
    • Good dexterity.
    • Suitable for weighing, short transfers and general incidental contact.
    • Shorter breakthrough times.
  • Thicker disposable nitrile (≥ 6–8 mil / 0.15–0.20 mm)
    • Better for longer tasks with solvents or frequent contact.
    • More robust but slightly less flexible.

For extended contact, you may need to move beyond disposables to reusable chemical-resistant gloves.

4.2 Cuff length

  • Standard cuffs protect hands and wrists in many bench-top tasks.
  • Extended cuffs help when:
    • You work inside a fume hood with raised arms.
    • You handle large volumes or corrosive liquids.
    • Your lab coat sleeves ride up when you reach forward.

4.3 Fit and size

  • Gloves that are too tight:
    • Are more likely to tear.
    • Cause hand fatigue.
  • Gloves that are too loose:
    • Reduce dexterity.
    • Can catch on glassware or equipment.

Choose the size that allows you to flex your fingers freely without feeling squeezed or swimming in extra material.

5. Step 4 – Using, changing and disposing of gloves

5.1 When to change disposable gloves

Change disposable gloves immediately when:

  • You spill or suspect contamination on the glove.
  • You move between “dirty” and “clean” tasks (e.g. from handling chemicals to using a keyboard).
  • You see tears, punctures or obvious degradation.
  • You have been working for a long time with volatile solvents, even without obvious spills.

Never wash or reuse disposable gloves.
Washing can carry chemicals through the material or damage the glove, making exposure more likely.

5.2 Reusable chemical-resistant gloves

For reusable gloves used in extended contact:

  • Inspect before and after each use for:
    • Rips, punctures, soft spots
    • Changes in colour or texture
  • If you see signs of degradation, retire the gloves immediately.
  • After use, wash the outer surface according to your lab’s procedure and let the gloves air dry in the lab, not in common areas.
  • For highly hazardous chemicals, consider wearing a thin nitrile inner glove so you can remove the outer glove first and keep a clean inner layer.

5.3 Why handwashing still matters

Even if gloves look clean when you take them off, microscopic contamination is still possible.

Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after removing gloves, before you eat, drink, or leave the lab.

5.4 Disposal of used gloves

How you dispose of gloves depends on what they have touched:

  • Gloves with no contamination usually go into regular lab trash (following your local policy).
  • Gloves contaminated with hazardous chemicals should go into the designated hazardous-waste container, not standard bins.
  • Gloves contaminated with biological or radioactive materials must follow your institution’s biological or radioactive waste procedures.

When in doubt, follow your lab’s waste policy and ask your safety officer.

6. Special situations: cuts and cryogenic hazards

This article focuses on gloves that protect your skin from chemicals. Some lab tasks need additional protection:

  • Cut-resistant gloves
    • Used when handling sharp glass, metal or cutting tools.
    • Often worn under or over a chemical-resistant glove when both mechanical and chemical hazards are present.
  • Cryogenic gloves
    • Designed for extreme cold (e.g. liquid nitrogen).
    • May be worn together with thin chemical-resistant gloves when both cold and chemical exposure are possible.

Consult your lab’s safety guidance when combining different glove types.

7. Interactive checklist

Before you start your next experiment, use this checklist to see if you have chosen the right gloves to protect your skin from chemicals:

1. Understand your exposure

2. Choose appropriate gloves

3. Use, change and dispose correctly

8. Common mistakes to avoid

You can keep this as a short section near the end:

  • Assuming any glove protects against any chemical. Always verify with SDS and manufacturer charts.
  • Wearing the wrong material for organic solvents. Latex is often not suitable for many organics.
  • Using disposable gloves for extended immersion. They are designed for incidental contact.
  • Wearing contaminated gloves “just a bit longer”. Change them immediately after a spill.
  • Touching door handles, phones and keyboards with lab gloves. This spreads contamination instead of containing it.
  • Not washing hands after removing gloves. Gloves are an extra layer, not a replacement for hygiene.

9. Further reading & affiliate disclosure

Further reading

  • Many universities publish free glove-selection charts and safety summaries. Look for chemical-resistance tables provided by glove manufacturers or your institution’s environment, health and safety office.
  • Some EHS websites also provide simple decision trees to help distinguish incidental contact vs. extended contact and choose an appropriate glove material.

Affiliate disclosure

ChemNorth sometimes uses affiliate links to products that meet the safety criteria described in this article. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only link to gloves that provide clear specifications and basic chemical-resistance information, but you must still follow your own lab’s PPE rules.

10. Safety note

Information on ChemNorth is for educational purposes and small-lab guidance. Always follow the PPE rules, safety procedures and waste-disposal policies of your own institution or lab. When selecting gloves, consult safety data sheets and glove manufacturers’ information, and ask your instructor, supervisor or safety officer if you are unsure.

How to Break and Insert Glass Tubing Safely in the Lab

Summary
Cutting glass tubing and inserting glass into rubber or cork stoppers are common tasks in teaching labs, but they are also a frequent cause of hand injuries. To work safely, always score and wet the glass before breaking it, wrap it in a towel or tissue when snapping, lubricate the end before insertion, and hold the glass close to the stopper while rotating gently. Never push hard on un-scored glass or hold the far end of the tube while forcing it through a stopper.

Glass tubing, thermometers and adapters are used everywhere in an organic lab. Preparing them correctly is routine work, but doing it carelessly can send broken glass into the palm of your hand. This article explains safe, step-by-step methods for breaking glass and inserting it into stoppers.

1. Why these tasks cause so many injuries

Typical injury patterns include:

  • Trying to snap un-scored glass tubing by brute force;
  • Holding the far end of a thermometer or tube while pushing it through a tight stopper;
  • Handling glass with bare hands when it suddenly breaks.

The common feature is poor control over where the force goes. Safe techniques help you control the break and keep your hands behind the line of force.

2. How to break glass tubing safely

2.1 Tools and preparation

You will typically need:

  • A glass file, glass-cutting tool or triangular file;
  • A drop of water or glycerol;
  • A towel or several layers of paper tissue.

2.2 Step-by-step procedure

  1. Mark the length you need on the glass.
  2. Score a small, clean line around the tube at that point using the file. You do not need to cut deeply; one firm stroke is usually enough.
  3. Wet the score line with a drop of water to help the crack start smoothly.
  4. Hold the tube with both hands, wrapped in a towel or paper tissue, with your thumbs placed opposite the score line.
  5. Gently bend the glass away from the score until it snaps along the line.

Do not twist or crush the glass. The force should be slow and controlled.

2.3 After the break

  • Smooth any sharp edges with fine sandpaper or a fire-polishing step if your instructor allows it.
  • Dispose of unwanted off-cuts in the broken-glass container, not in normal trash.

3. How to insert glass into rubber or cork stoppers

3.1 Why this step is risky

When you push a long piece of glass through a tight stopper, the stress concentrates near the point where it enters the stopper. If the glass breaks, the broken end can be driven toward the hand that is pushing.

3.2 Safer technique

  1. Lubricate the end of the glass with a drop of water or glycerol.
  2. Hold the stopper in one hand.
  3. With the other hand, hold the glass close to the end that enters the stopper, not at the far end.
  4. Push the glass in while rotating the stopper gently, applying slow, even pressure.
  5. Stop if resistance is very high and ask for a larger bore hole or a different adapter.

Never use sudden, strong force. Never hold the glass far away and “ram” it through.

4. Inspecting and using prepared glass

After you have prepared your glass:

  • Check that the exposed ends are reasonably smooth and free of large chips.
  • Make sure the glass sits straight in the stopper or adapter; avoid forcing it into distorted angles.
  • Handle long assemblies carefully and support them with clamps where appropriate.

5. Checklist: before, during and after

Before

  • I have the right diameter of glass tubing or thermometer.
  • I have a file, lubricant, and towel or tissue ready.
  • I know exactly how long the piece needs to be.

During

  • I always score before breaking glass.
  • I wrap the glass and keep my hands behind the line of force.
  • I hold glass close to the stopper end when inserting and rotate gently.

After

  • Off-cuts go into the broken-glass container.
  • Edges are smoothed if necessary and allowed by the lab.
  • Completed assemblies are handled and clamped carefully.

6. Safety note

Information on ChemNorth is for educational purposes and small-lab guidance. Always follow your institution’s safety rules and local regulations, and ask your instructor or safety officer if you are unsure about a procedure.

How to Use Heat Safely in an Organic Chemistry Lab

Summary
Heating is essential in organic chemistry, but it is also one of the main sources of fires and burns in the lab. To use heat safely, avoid open flames around flammable solvents, prefer hot plates and heating mantles, keep solvent bottles and waste containers away from hot surfaces, and never leave an active heater unattended. Always check glassware for cracks before heating and allow hot equipment to cool before moving or cleaning it.

When you begin experimental organic chemistry, you quickly discover that many reactions and procedures require heat. Refluxing, distillation, evaporation, and drying all depend on controlled heating. At the same time, heating is closely linked to fires, burns, and broken glassware. This article gives you a practical guide to using heat with the lowest reasonable risk in a teaching or small organic lab.

1. Why open flames are rarely a good idea

In an organic lab, open flames (Bunsen burners, alcohol lamps, lighters) are almost always the least safe heating option.

1.1 Flammable vapours travel farther than you think

  • Many organic solvents (diethyl ether, pentane, hexane, acetone, etc.) have low boiling points and high vapour pressures.
  • Their vapours are often heavier than air and can flow along the bench or near the floor.
  • A flame several metres away can still ignite a vapour cloud that drifts past it.

Because of this behaviour, many organic labs adopt a simple rule:

No open flames when flammable solvents are in use.

1.2 When a flame might still appear

If your lab still uses Bunsen burners, they are usually reserved for:

  • Briefly flaming glassware to dry it;
  • Sterilisation in microbiology work (less common in organic labs).

Even in these cases, flames should be used far from solvent bottles and waste containers, and only when your instructor confirms it is safe.

2. Safer options: hot plates and heating mantles

Hot plates and heating mantles remove the naked flame, but they are not risk-free.

2.1 Hot plates

Hot plates are good for:

  • Gentle heating of beakers and flasks;
  • Combining heating and magnetic stirring.

Safer habits:

  • Use appropriate support: place flasks in a beaker or on a ceramic pad when needed, not directly on bare metal if the design does not allow it.
  • Keep the area around the hot plate clear of solvent bottles, paper towels, and plastic items.
  • Turn the control to low or off before plugging in or unplugging.

2.2 Heating mantles

Heating mantles are designed to heat round-bottom flasks more evenly than hot plates.

Safer habits:

  • Use a mantle that fits the flask size properly; avoid “cramming” a larger flask into a smaller mantle.
  • Always support the flask with a clamp and stand, not just resting in the mantle.
  • Do not let liquid overflow into the mantle. If it happens, turn off the power and report it.

Quick question

You finish a reflux experiment and turn off the heating mantle. The round-bottom flask is still very hot and contains flammable solvent. What is the safest thing to do next?

  1. A. Immediately remove the flask from the mantle with bare hands so it cools faster.
  2. B. Leave the flask supported and let it cool in place before handling it.
  3. C. Move the hot flask quickly to another bench to free the mantle.
Show suggested answer

Leave the flask supported and let it cool in place before handling it.
Hot glassware can cause burns and is more likely to break if moved while very hot. Keeping the flask clamped and supported reduces the chance of spills or sudden breakage while the solvent and glass cool down.

3. Preventing fires when heating solvents

Most heating-related fires share a few common features. You can avoid many of them by planning ahead.

3.1 Keep flammable liquids away from hot surfaces

Before you turn on any heater, check:

  • Are solvent bottles stored away from the hot plate or mantle?
  • Is your waste container located somewhere cooler and safer?
  • Is there any spill or residue on the hot surface from a previous user?

If a spill occurs:

  • Turn off the heater if it is safe to do so.
  • Allow the surface to cool if necessary.
  • Wipe the area carefully with appropriate materials, disposing of them as chemical waste if required.

3.2 Control boiling and bumping

Uncontrolled boiling can throw hot liquid out of the flask:

  • Use boiling chips or a stir bar when appropriate.
  • Start with a low heat setting and increase gradually.
  • Never fill a flask more than about half full for boiling or reflux.

4. Glassware and heat: avoiding cracks and burns

4.1 Check glassware before heating

Heating cracked or chipped glassware increases the chance of sudden failure.

Before you heat:

  • Inspect the rim, body, and any joints for cracks or chips.
  • Do not use flawed glassware, especially under reflux, distillation, or vacuum.

4.2 Handling hot glassware

Hot glass often looks exactly like cold glass.

  • Assume glassware on or near heaters is hot.
  • Use heat-resistant gloves or tongs when moving recently heated items.
  • Allow glass to cool on a heat-resistant surface before washing or storing.

5. Checklist: heat safety before, during and after

Before, during and after using heat, you can use this quick checklist:

Before heating

While heating

After heating

6. Safety note

Information on ChemNorth is for educational purposes and small-lab guidance. Always follow your institution’s safety rules and local regulations, and ask your instructor or safety officer if you are unsure about a procedure.

Mini quiz

Which situation is most clearly unsafe in an organic chemistry lab?



Show suggested answer

Placing an open bottle of diethyl ether next to a hot plate that is turned on.
Diethyl ether is a very volatile and highly flammable solvent. Its vapours can travel to the hot surface and ignite, even if the flame or heating element is not in direct contact with the liquid. The other two situations are normally acceptable in a well-managed lab.