Laboratory Hygiene - A Comprehensive Guide

黄金标准的实验室卫生可以全面提高安全性、效率和准确性。在清洁和卫生的实验室，工作人员可以有组织和有效地执行任务，同时将事故和意外的风险降至最低。保持实验室卫生并不困难，但它确实需要一种战略方法。在这份全面的指南中，我们涵盖了你需要知道的关于如何建立和维护一个卫生的实验室的一切。

Laboratory hygiene: 101

The first step is to establish best-practice laboratory hygiene protocols. These general housekeeping rules help maintain overall hygiene in facilities of all shapes and sizes, from small-scale university research labs to international R&D centres run by pharmaceutical giants.

• Keep workspaces clean and tidy at all times.
• Ensure safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, eyewash stations and emergency showers are easy to access and unobstructed at all times.
• 任何不使用的材料应安全存放。
• Heavier items, instruments and supplies should always be kept on lower or ground level shelves, when possible. Only lightweight items should be stored on upper shelves or on top of cabinets.
• Solids should always be disposed of in trash cans or dedicated waste disposal containers. Solids should never be poured into laboratory sinks as this can block drains and contaminate nearby water sources.
• 危险化学品应始终妥善处理。
• Equipment that requires ventilation or airflow should never be covered or obstructed.

Cleaning laboratory glassware

From volumetric flasks to funnels and beakers, glassware is a staple in laboratories. Borosilicate glass is coveted in scientific laboratories as it’s durable, heat resistant and won’t crack when exposed to extreme temperature changes. High concentrations of chemicals called boron trioxide and silica giveborosilicate glass这些独特的特点。

一般情况下，硼硅酸盐玻璃器皿使用后最好立即清洗，避免污渍和降解。为了达到可能的最佳结果，实验室应配备玻璃器皿清洗台，配备玻璃友好溶剂、蒸馏水和去离子水。

Below, we take a closer look at cleaning protocols for different types of laboratory glassware:

• Glassware used for water-soluble solutions

For simple water-soluble solutions such as sucrose and sodium chloride, simply rinse with deionised water, then repeat two to three times.

• Glassware used for water-insoluble solutions

Water-insoluble chemicals and compounds such as chloroform and hexane should be rinsed off with a solvent such as ethanol or acetone two to three times. Follow with an additional three to four rinses with deionised water.

• Glassware used for strong acids

Highly concentrated solutions such as Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) and Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4) should be rinsed with tap water under a fume hood. Follow with three to four additional rinses with deionised water.

• Glassware used for strong base solutions

像浓酸一样，像NH4OH和6M NaOH这样的强碱溶液也需要专门的清洗方法。在通风柜下用自来水仔细冲洗玻璃器皿，直到底部被清除。然后用去离子水冲洗三到四次。

• Glassware used for weak acids

Weak acids can be rinsed off with deionised water three to four times.

• Glassware used for weak bases

用自来水冲洗以去除基底，然后用去离子水冲洗三到四次。

Cleaning specialised laboratory glassware

Many laboratories use specialised laboratory glassware, which must be cleaned using the appropriate steps.

• Organic chemistry glassware

Glassware used for organic chemistry generally needs to be rinsed with a solvent. The type of solvent will depend on the materials used. Water-soluble contents can be rinsed with deionised water while ethanol should be used for ethanol-soluble contents. A brush and hot water can be used to scrub glassware, if necessary. Finish with a thorough rinse in deionised water.

• Burettes

Used for quantitative chemical analysis, burettes are one of the most useful laboratory tools available to scientists. Hot soapy water should be used to clean burettes and remove traces of chemicals and other substances. Each burette should then be rinsed thoroughly with tap water, then rinses again three to four times using deionised water. It’s important to thoroughly clean and dry burettes, as contamination can affect the accuracy of quantitative measurements.

• Pipettes and volumetric flasks

Depending on the type of solution used,glass pipettesand volumetric flasks may need to be soaked overnight in warm soapy water. This helps dissolve chemicals and remove all traces of contaminants. It may also be necessary to scrub the glassware using a bristled brush. Once the cleaning process is complete rinse three to four times with deionised water.

• Quartz glass

Quartz glass can be soaked in hydrofluoric acid, then rinsed in alcohol or high-purity water.

Drying laboratory glassware

Air drying glassware on shelves or racks is generally the best way to remove water. Using a paper towel or cloth isn’t recommended as these methods can leave traces of fibres and other contaminants on the glassware. If glassware needs to be used immediately after washing, an acetone rinse can be used to quickly evaporate excess water.

Cleaning laboratory mortar and pestles

从准备实验室样品到粉碎化学品，研钵和研杵用于广泛的科学应用。严格的清洁协议是必不可少的，因为如果材料没有被正确清除，研钵和研杵可能是交叉污染的主要来源。

Below, we cover some fast, easy and effective steps to keep laboratory mortar and pestle kits clean.

Agate and black granite mortar and pestles

Harder and more durable than glass and porcelain, agate is a popular material for laboratory mortar and pestles. It has an ultra-fine grain structure, which makes it easy to clean and sterilise after use. Black granite is also a coveted material for lab mortar and pestles. Here’s how to clean these types of mortar and pestles and prevent cross-contamination:

• Dislocate and remove excess particles using a wire brush
• Use warm soapy water to clean the mortar and pestle
• Rinse with running tap water to remove suds and debris
• Remove oily and acidic stains with an acetone and isopropyl alcohol rinse
• Allow to air dry

Metal and ceramic mortar and pestles

• Rinse with warm tap water
• Remove surface debris using a lightweight brush or scrubber
• Allow to air dry

Wooden mortar and pestles

• Use a cloth or paper towel to remove debris
• Wipe down mortar and pestle using a damp cloth
• Allow to air dry
• Use a clean, dry cloth to apply mineral oil to the mortar and pestle

Cleaning laboratory hot plates

Used to heat samples, laboratory hot plates swap an open flame for a safe and uniform source of heat. They often feature digital displays that make it easy to monitor and control temperatures. Different cleaning protocols may apply, depending on the type of laboratory hot plate being used. Here’s a closer look at some of the most common laboratory hot plates and how to clean them:

Ceramic laboratory hot plates

• Use a scraper to remove burnt-on spills or deposits while the plate is still hot
• An insulated mitt should be worn when using a metal scraper
• Once the plate has cooled, apply a small amount of non-abrasive cleaning solution using a damp paper towel and wipe clean
• Use water to clean off remaining debris
• Wipe clean with a paper towel and allow to air dry

Aluminium laboratory hot plates

• Use a damp cloth to remove dirt, dust and debris
• Remove burnt-on deposits using a wooden spatula
• For stubborn stains, white vinegar or a specialised cleaning solution can be used
• Avoid abrasive cleaners and pads as they can scratch and damage the aluminium

Cleaning laboratory surfaces

From chemicals to clinical samples, hazardous materials are commonplace in laboratories. Workspaces don’t just need to be neat, tidy and well-organised. They also need to be thoroughly disinfected to safeguard laboratory personnel and prevent cross-contamination during research and experiments.

Most surfaces can be cleaned using a mix of 90% water and 10% bleach. Spritz onto countertops and use a clean cloth to wipe surfaces, remembering to cover corners, edges, undersides and other hard-to-reach places.

The role of hazard assessment in laboratory hygiene

Hazard assessment is critical when introducing new equipment, instruments, materials or procedures into a laboratory. This step plays an important role in identifying potential hazards and taking steps to minimise risk. For example, a laboratory may identify the need to invest in additional PPE for employees when introducing hazardous chemicals into the facility.

Hazard assessment is one of the main general principles identified in theHarvard University Chemical Hygiene Planused at laboratories across the prestigious college.

“Prior to initiation of new experiments or procedures, assessment of potential hazards must be performed,” reads the plan. “Appropriate protective measures, including personal protective equipment and engineering controls, must be identified and implemented. Laboratories should develop process- or experiment-specific guidelines and protective procedures.”

The final world on laboratory hygiene

From the Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Resource Laboratory at Harvard University to the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN), laboratory hygiene is a top priority at scientific facilities around the world.

新一代技术正在不断改善科学实验室的卫生状况。在食品、农业和牲畜饲料行业，罗默实验室是全球领先的诊断解决方案提供商。Find out more about the latest developments, including a mobile flow cytometer with the capacity to quantify bacteria and residues on surfaces in 30 seconds, in‘CytoQuant® - Immediate Verification of Cleaning & Disinfection Procedures’