Shane Douglas

23949 7 Mile Rd.

Stanwood, MI 49346
November 18, 2014

Joel McGorman
Manager of Laboratory safety
Science 317
808 Campus Drive
Big rapids, MI 49307-2225

Dear Mr. McGorman:

I am writing to inform you of a problem you are likely familiar with, as you know the storage
and disposal of chemicals is a key part of maintaining safe and clean labs. I have found a few
changes in current protocol that would make it easier to your job. In the report environmental
hazards that are associated with these chemicals. I think Ferris State University has a lot to gain
by sincerely considering my proposal
In the report I begin by introducing the relationship between chemistry laboratories and
innovations which change over time with every advancement in science. It is shown how this
dynamic equilibria revolves around safety. Then I have given a brief history of safety and use of
chemicals in laboratories. I also describe how chemistry is changing in respect to keeping labs
safe and clean with minimal cost which leads to me fully describing the problem.
This problem is intertwined with green chemistry, the quickly expanding branch of chemistry
that cover all other branches due to its intellectual nature to develop ways to do chemistry better.
I then consider goals and issues that belong to this topic. Then give a recommendation that I
think will be an easy solution to these issues.
It is important to me. I hope that you seriously consider that content of the report. You should
find this material beneficial to many of the goals to which you aspire. The next step is following
through my recommendation which would require faculty to cooperate to accomplish many goals
I think are also their own.

Sincerely,

Shane Douglas
Douglas6@ferris.edu

Ferris State Universitys

Transition towards Cleaner and Safer Labs

Prepared for the

Laboratory Management of Ferris State University

Prepared by
Shane Douglas
ACS e-Board Member and
Ferris State Lab Employee

November 18, 2014

Table of Contents

Executive Summary .....................................................................................1

Introduction ..................................................................................................2
Background ..................................................................................................2
Problems ......................................................................................................3
Green Chemistry ..........................................................................................4
Evaluation ....................................................................................................5
Recommendations ........................................................................................6
Conclusion ...................................................................................................6
Appendix (I) - Fact Sheet .............................................................................7
Works Cited .................................................................................................8

Executive Summary
This report examines the necessity of good lab maintenance and safety. As many other
colleges recognize it is the schools responsibility to ensure the safety of students, faculty, and
any others that are engaged into educational activities. The dangers associated with working in
laborites is not well known by the public and even less is known of how labs can effect
environments around them. The need to revise current laboratory protocol will become evident
and possible solutions will be introduced.
As others have said the safest and cleanest lab is no lab at all. However this is not
plausible due to the obvious need for lab orientated courses and especially courses related to the
health sciences. Being so a need based inquiry should be accomplished to determine what is
expected outcomes from laboratories at Ferris State University. By finding what these sorts of
classes are supposed to accomplish course work could be designed to meet these standards with
minimum danger and impact on the environment.
This problem is one that never quite goes away. Ever since the modern sciences began
experimentation in the lab has gotten more and more sophisticated. Just as when problems are
understood new ones arise. Now with the growing concern of environmental impact college
science buildings are being chastised. Due to traditional experiments a student might encounter
in the mid-1900s many school are finding very high levels of heavy metals draining away from
these buildings. These experiments which mimic work done in industry, even today, are no
longer done because schools cannot be so neglectful to the area around it. This is not the end of
these kind of experiments, many people have died from mercury, lead, and other heavy
poisoning from these experiments. Finding such laboratory protocol that can be so destructive is
important and will help make a transition easier.
These kind of transitions have been faced many times before; for example, colleges never
used to enforce students to wear safety googles. Labs have always been dangerous and our
understanding of lab safety has evolved as we become more aware of mishap in the laboratory.
Now a problem is proposed that many lab protocols need revision. Not only will these changes
make labs safer and more eco-friendly the school will also save a lot of money.
By understanding the needs associated with any lab providing the necessary materials can
be much easier and effective. Buying chemicals often in small amounts is more expensive and
time consuming. Also expensive chemicals could be replaced with cheaper ones, and dangerous
chemicals replace with safer ones. Chemical and various lab supplies would be quite easier to
manage. A large amount of legal issues could also be surpassed. When a school becomes
involved in the injury of a student lawyers and judges get involved and the school most likely
sued which costs millions of dollars.
This issue is not really difficult to fix. After all most of these topics are already being
managed; however, more could be done and better as well. The school has a lot to benefit by
solving these issues and would be a great model for others.

Introduction
In any chemical laboratory there are numerous chemicals that can be very dangerous
unless properly stored, used and finally disposed. The labs at Ferris are no different and as
expected require a significant amount of time and effort to maintain cleanliness and safety. It is
also important to consider that as science and technology change and become more sophisticated
these innovations begin in research labs and this has brought along many new substances that
require special handling along with the traditionally dangerous chemicals.
As we look forward it is a necessity to prepare and that requires taking precautionary
steps to preserve the environment. This can be accomplished by changing some of the older
traditions of chemistry which usually involve significant amounts of toxic chemicals. With
modern knowledge we know that our environment plays a very important role in society. We
know that many of our wastes impact the air we breathe, the water we drink, and consequently
the food we eat.
I think it is the responsibility of these laboratories, which investigate ways to improve
almost everything, also to so also for the environment. Protocol and laboratory awareness
changes very quickly and right now it changing to be safer for both the environment and people,
along with even becoming more economical and efficient.

Background
The chemicals are dealt with has always been changing. Just like in the 1950s where
many Americans may have thought that smoking was not a problem. Now however we know
that smoking can lead to cancer and even the little bit of smoke that drifts away from a smoker is
harmful to others. A good example in chemistry is how a chemical called benzene has been
treated differently. Benzene used to be commonly used in the lab. It smells good and is very
useful for many different tasks in the laboratory. College students used it, some people washed
their hands with it because it easily removes oils and similar materials from skin. The problem
began when it became known that benzene can cause leukemia from benzenes carcinogen
properties.
Similar to the benzene situation, chemists never used to wear safety goggles in the labs
despite the fact that many substances that can blind a person are around. Now no one is allowed
to work in a lab without googles. All it too for the change was a few mishaps, until someone
thought it would be a good idea to protect your own eyes. This problem is one that never quite
goes away.
Ever since the modern sciences began experimentation in the lab has gotten more and
more sophisticated. Just as when problems are understood new ones arise. Now with the growing
concern of environmental impact college science buildings are being chastised. Due to traditional
experiments a student might encounter in the mid-1900s many schools are finding very high
levels of heavy metals draining away from these buildings. These experiments which mimic

work done in industry, even today, are no longer done because schools cannot be so neglectful to
the area around it. This is not the end of these kind of experiments, many people have died from
mercury, lead, and other heavy poisoning from these experiments.
Just has chemistry labs have the potential to be very dangerous to people from various
hazardous materials, the potential to harm the environment is there as well. Our understanding of
the scope of the harm will only grow like it has for the countless others who have gotten hurt
from negligent protocol.

Problems
As many other colleges recognize it is the schools responsibility to ensure the safety of
students, faculty, and any others that are engaged into educational activities. The dangers
associated with working in laborites is not well known by the public and even less is known of
how labs can effect environments around them. The need to revise current laboratory protocol
will become evident and possible solutions will be introduced.
Thought it would be nice to rid ourselves of this problem as a society, it cannot be done
at that scale. It is best to lead by example as many other school have done and try to make a good
example for others. This is where Ferris State fits in and these are some problems at our own
school:
1.) Almost all professors use unique chemicals for labs that are supposed meet the
same standards.
2.) Keeping stock, buying, and disposing these chemicals is very time consuming and
expensive.
3.) Students are leaving school without a good understanding of the way their
profession effects their environment.
4.) Now from decades of lab work we are learning Ferris State University is faced
with the challenges associated with carelessness of chemicals.
5.) Student tuition that should be spent in a useful manner must be spent on
whimsical wishes of various professors and past mistakes.
6.) Lastly and most importantly students are leaving Ferris with a poor understanding
of how various chemicals are harmful and how they should be dealt with.
Taking up these challenges as a school will most definitely benefit the student population
by: educating students on the danger of various chemicals, save the school money, impact the
environment less, start a reputation as a model school, and be safer for students. Though Ferris
State University would not be the first school to do so, it would be a part of few that are
beginning to change old habits to brighten the future.

Green Chemistry
To gain an appreciation for this problem it will help to have a small background in the
branch of chemistry which is most concerned with these kind of problems. Green chemistry s
this branch and is concerned with

Making chemicals in ways that do not harm the environment

Finding ways to recycle the substance we use most like plastic

Understanding what makes something harmful to the environment

Also, learning how to get the maximum efficiency out chemicals which are
harmful yet must be used

With the current infatuation with the sustainment of our environment which is completely
reasonable, green chemistry is where most of our understanding will come from. As we look to
solutions for our problems at Ferris, many will come from research that has been done to solve
the same issues we are confronted by.
At Ferris State University we have an ACS (American Chemical Society) chapter. I am
an e-board member and our organization has been awarded for advancements in green chemistry
at Ferris State University. The organization has a goal to make students aware of green chemistry
because of its use in industry.
Many innovations are being produced in this branch of chemistry because it is growing so
quickly. Companies are looking to become more eco-friendly along with trying to save money
by recycling the substance they use and spend money that could be profit. Schools as well are
beginning to branch out into this field to give industry professionals that have the skills and
knowledge to solve these kind of problems. As we look deeper into this issue we will see that
green chemistry plays a large role and is where we can find answers.

Evaluation
Up until now we have only considered what the issue is, how it is relevant, and what
tools we can use to fix the problems. We have not considered specifically where the source of the
issues is and possible ways of fixing them. First we must consider what goals we are trying to
meet. At the Ferris State University physical sciences department we have several goals that
could be meet by our solution:
1.) Find ways to make our laboratory courses safer and less harmful to the
environment
2.) In the process we would like to see cost savings in both buying and disposing of
chemicals
3.) Become a role model for other schools, giving an example of the benefits
associated with solving the problems and giving them good solutions that can be
reasonably met by any school
4.) Give students a better background in the issues that many will be faced with in
their future careers
Looking at this list, these goals can be met by our solutions. It is important to find issues
that are relevant to the problems and that will help us meet this goals. Ferris State University has
several areas in labs that could be bettered so that we can benefit the school in ways that are
listed above. Some of the places where improvement would be most helpful are:

Most professors in general chemistry courses use their own manuals, this cause
there to be a large array of chemicals needed. All these chemicals require unique
handling. This is time consuming and wasteful since chemicals can be bought
cheaper in larger quantities along with cheaper costs of disposing of them.

Students are not learning the dangers of various chemicals. This is due to the
neglect Ferris has given green chemistry and thus ignoring the need of industry.
Which is one of the founding principles of Ferris State University.

Ferris State is polluting the nearby environment with heavy metals that have been
used for decades in the labs.

These goals can be met by solving the problems listed above. It is obvious that there is no
reason to procrastinate allowing Ferris State University to fall behind. Just to leave the problem
there for future students and faculty to solve. As we begin to solve these issues it will become
clear that it is crucial we make these standards.

Recommendation
It would only require a slight amount of cooperation to solve these problems. For the
most part, these problems are caused by disagreement amongst ourselves which keeps us from
collaborating together to make things easier for everyone. I recommend three steps to solving
these problems:
1.) Need-based inquiry to determine what laboratory classes need to achieve.
2.) A rigid plan that is acceptable to everyone that participates and that can be easily
followed.
3.) Finally designating someone or group of people to ensure the plan is followed and
that if problems arise; can be easily altered to keep the plan.
Step 1 is straight forward. We need to know: why we need labs, what the labs require,
and the budget associated with any changes. By learning these things we find exactly what we
need to accomplish, what chemicals we need, how much they cost, and which changes could
help us meet our goals.
Step 2 is constructing a plan that would cover all of the needs found in step 1 and give no
reason to avoid the transition. Everyone would have to participate to ensure that all are pleased
with the proposed plan. This plan would have to be strict, not allowing for any room to continue
the mistakes that have been made in the past.
Step 3 provides a way to make the change permanent since it is so easy for us to forget
obligations. These individual(s) would make any necessary changes so the transition would not
fail and to enforce the plan from the beginning.
Following these steps will allow us to fix our problems and meet our goals. These steps
are also fairly simple, find what is needed, find the easiest way to get it, and then just get what is
needed.

Conclusion
All in all, we have seen that it is important we begin to change the way we do chemistry
at Ferris State University because of safety and to reduce the impact on the environment. Green
chemistry is a rapidly growing branch of chemistry, industry needs it, and the public needs a
better awareness of chemistry in the environment, and students should be given a decent
background in green chemistry. Solving these problems will save money, put Ferris State
University in the forefront of the change toward more eco-friendly protocol, and be a great
model for other schools.

Appendix (I)
Fact Sheet

What is in Chemistry Labs?

Strong acids

Chloroform

Toxic Gases

Explosive materials

Corrosive materials

Mercury

Lead

Carcinogens

Safety Precautionary Equipment

Safety googles
Lab coat
Fire blanket

Emergency Shower
Eye wash

Fire extinguishers
Ventilation hoods

Works Cited
Goodwin Thomas E. (2004). An asymptotic approach to the development of a green organic
chemistry laboratory. Journal of Chemical Education. 81. 1187- 1190
Henrie Sally A. (2013). ConfChem conference on educating the next generation: green and
sustainable chemistry-development of greener laboratory manuals for introductory
chemistry courses. Journal of Chemical Education, 90, 521-522.
Sesha L. A. Paluri, Michelle L. Edwards, Nhi H. Lam, Elizabeth M. Williams, Allie
Meyerhoefer,and Ioana E. Pavel Sizemore. (2014). Introducing green and nongreen
aspects of noble metal nanoparticle synthesis: an inquiry-based laboratory experiment for
chemistry and engineering students. Journal of Chemical Education. DOI:
10.1021/ed5004806