Australia's Science Forum

After dissections the teachers like to squirt diluted disinfectant on benches and give them a wipe down. Usually I will dilute some cheap generic brand 1:10 and fill a spray bottle. On printing out a new GHS label I discovered that it states "causes skin + serious eye irritations and suspected of causing genetic defects and cancer. I know this is a common household product but now feel rather uncomfortable about leaving this with class. What do other labbies do after dissection?

What type of disinfectant are you using? Do you have the Safety Data Sheet for it - the one produced by the manufacturer? That would be your best source of information before you start panicking. If after checking the SDS and you are still concerned for safety of the product, you need to do a risk assessment on it - maybe wearing PPE might reduce the risks. Another question, does diluting the product reduce the risks? If you can't sufficiently reduce the risk, you need to find another product.

Can you just use spray and wipe?
I have kept an empty spray bottle and I have put some dishwashing liquid in it (quality stuff, not homebrand like i use for everything else) put some in the bottom of the spray bottle, then fill with water. I use it to clean benches, tubs and general light cleans. Wipe down with paper towel and throw out.

When I'm trying to keep the area sterile, such as for preparing agar plates, I wipe everything down with 70% ethanol with 30% water. When I did my Cert III in Laboratory Skills It was said to be the best dilution to use to sterilise an area. You could put that in your spray bottle.

I think Science Assist recommends a hospital grade disinfectant for this. Metho and water works well but the risks are increased.

We now use Antibiotic wipes. The teachers like to use thee and get students to do it

We use a 70% ethanol solution too. I keep it made up ready to go. Also a great stain remover for benches, whiteboards, etc...

J wrote: I wipe everything down with 70% ethanol with 30% water.

melsid wrote:We use a 70% ethanol solution too...

Do you guys use Metho or Fancy Ethanol ?

Ethanol for me.

I got told at TAFE to use metho.

Ethanol here too.