In an organic lab, you need to protect your skin from chemicals, not just your eyes and lungs. Many organic reagents can irritate or be absorbed through the skin, so hand protection is more than just a formality. To reduce risk, wear suitable gloves whenever you handle liquids or solids that could harm the skin, avoid touching door handles, phones or pens with contaminated gloves, and wash your hands thoroughly after removing them.
Skin contact with chemicals is one of the most common types of exposure in the organic lab. Sometimes the effects are immediate, like irritation or burns. In other cases, absorption through the skin may be slow and less obvious. This article focuses on practical habits and glove use that help you protect your skin in routine lab work.
1. How chemicals reach your skin
Common pathways include:
- Direct splashes or spills during pouring, transferring or cleaning;
- Handling contaminated glassware, benches or equipment;
- Touching your face or hair with contaminated hands or gloves.
You cannot always control what a previous user has left behind, but you can control how you handle materials and how quickly you respond when something goes wrong.
2. When you should wear gloves
You should wear suitable protective gloves when:
- Handling liquid organic reagents or solvents;
- Working with corrosive or irritant chemicals;
- Cleaning up spills or wiping contaminated surfaces;
- Handling waste containers that may have residues on the outside.
You may not need gloves for every dry, solid material or for tasks like writing in your notebook, but when in doubt, ask your instructor.
3. Everyday habits to protect your skin from chemicals
To protect your skin from chemicals in everyday lab work, start with three habits…
3.1 Putting on and taking off gloves
- Check gloves for holes or tears before use.
- Pull them over the wrist so there is minimal gap between glove and lab coat sleeve.
- When removing, peel them off from the wrist inside-out, avoiding contact with the outside surface.
3.2 Keeping gloves from spreading contamination
Gloves protect your skin, but they can spread contamination if you are not careful.
Avoid:
- Touching door handles, phones, keyboards or notebooks with contaminated gloves;
- Handling clean glassware or personal items while still wearing gloves;
- Leaving gloves on when you have stopped working with chemicals.
Adopt a simple rule:
Anything you would happily touch with your bare hands should not be touched with contaminated gloves.
4. Responding to skin contact
If a chemical reaches your skin:
- Act immediately – do not wait to see whether it hurts.
- Rinse the affected area under running water for at least 10–15 minutes.
- Remove contaminated clothing or jewellery if possible.
- Inform your instructor or supervisor and follow the lab’s incident procedure.
For serious exposures, local emergency procedures always take precedence over any general advice.
5. Choosing gloves to protect your skin from chemicals
In many labs, nitrile gloves are the default choice because they resist a wide range of organic solvents better than natural latex. However, no single glove material is perfect for every chemical.
For now:
- Use the glove type recommended by your lab or instructor for the chemicals you handle.
- Do not assume that a glove is safe for all substances; permeation times vary widely.
- Replace gloves promptly if they become torn, heavily contaminated, or if you have worked with aggressive solvents for a significant time.
Later on ChemNorth we will look at glove selection charts and material compatibility in more detail.
6. Checklist: skin protection in everyday work
Use this short checklist whenever you want to check whether you really protect your skin from chemicals during a lab session.
Before
- I know which tasks require gloves today.
- I have appropriate gloves available and they are intact.
- My lab coat sleeves cover my arms.
During
- I wear gloves when handling liquids and hazardous solids.
- I avoid touching personal items and clean surfaces with contaminated gloves.
- I change gloves if they become torn or heavily contaminated.
After
- I remove gloves correctly and dispose of them in the proper container.
- I wash my hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- I report any skin contact that required rinsing.
7. Safety note
Information on ChemNorth is for educational purposes and small-lab guidance. Always follow your institution’s safety rules and local regulations, and ask your instructor or safety officer if you are unsure about a procedure.