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Asked by savanna impey on 31 May 2024. This question was also asked by tf, Anniem, sere1jazz.
Question: What is the most dangerous experiment you have done and what health issues can it cause?
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David Threlfall answered on 31 May 2024:
I’ve done many experiments with hazardous materials. the important thing is too do a proper risk assessment and put the required protection between yourself and the hazards. Dangerous experiments can be done in gloveboxes or using very small quantities of materials.
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David Bremner answered on 19 Jun 2024:
Its not really an experiment but one of the machines i use is a DEXA machine which uses radiation, as long as the risk assessment is reviewed regularly and i follow any and all safety measures or protocols that are in place as well as use my training and experience then it will continue to be safe for both me and any participants that i scan.
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Samet Sahin answered on 24 Jun 2024:
Thankfully my research doesn’t involve high-risk or dangerous experiments. The most hazardous I could think of is pressurised gases such as hydrogen. Hydrogen is an extremely flammable gas and suitable safety measures should be taken, otherwise, the results can be dangerous.
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Pete Webb answered on 27 Jun 2024:
I have mixed zinc metal with hydrochloric acid (HCl) to make hydrogen. It could be dangerous if you get HCl on your skin, or the mixture splashes into your eyes, but if you use tongs to hold the test tube and googlles tpo cover your eyes, you will be perfectly safe.
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Mimi Asogwa answered on 28 Jun 2024:
I work with Microorganisms so it is dangerous in a sense if I don’t wear all protective covering. I always wear appropriate clothing eg lab coats, gloves and sometimes eye googles
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Sandra Robertson answered on 4 Jul 2024:
The most dangerous material I have worked with is radioactive materials in a previous job. I had to wear a special body badge and have regular health checks to check how much radiation my body was absorbing. Although the volumes i was working with were really small, there were lots of very strict safety checks which had to be followed. The regular health checks were looking for any changes in my body which could have been indicators of cancers or radiation sickness.
Comments
Andrew M commented on :
A dangerous experiment is one you haven’t planned properly, considered the risks and the ways of making it safer. A hazardous experiment can be quite safe with the right planning, equipment and procedures. A less hazardous experiment can be more dangerous if the risks aren’t fully considered. I probably don’t know my most dangerous experiment – it will have been the one I didn’t know was hazardous and that time got lucky.
The most hazardous experiments I’ve done have been those involving high energy X-ray or neutron beamlines. The large yellow signs in the instrument bays that read (words to the effect of: it’s been a while) “If this light comes on lethal radiation dose in 8s” were a very good reminder to follow procedures and work safely.
In the lab I’ve mostly worked with less hazardous materials. Colleagues worked with the very toxic hydrogen selenide and some do still work with hydrofluoric acid, which can lead to the most excruciating burns and horrible deaths I can imagine. I’m very glad I don’t work with it, even with all the precautions they take, the safety equipment available and training they recieve.