Getting a handle on the right gloves

摘要

Molecular biology by its very nature deals with biology at the smallest level. Coupled with this, is its relatively recent past and its pioneering ethos. Collectively these factors may have contributed to a subdued level of awareness regarding the hazards facing molecular biologists. This would appear to be the case with hand protection and chemical hazards. Molecular biologists routinely refer to gloves being used for process protection and scarcely mention the need for personal protection from chemical splashes. This seems strange given that powerful genotoxicants such as ethidium bromide and acrylamide are widely used. The purpose of this article is therefore to shed some light on this area and to offer some thoughts on possible solutions for hand protection.