American Chemical Society (ACS) Laboratory Safety Practice Test 2025 - Free Lab Safety Practice Questions and Study Guide

Question: 1 / 400

Why is it important to avoid direct hand contact with solid reagents?

It makes the process slower

It can lead to contamination

Avoiding direct hand contact with solid reagents is crucial primarily because it can lead to contamination. When you handle solid substances with your hands, oils, dirt, or moisture from your skin can transfer onto the reagents. This contamination can alter the chemical composition of the reagents, potentially affecting experimental results, safety, and the integrity of future experiments.

In addition, handling reagents directly can pose health risks. Many solid reagents can be hazardous—whether through toxicity, irritancy, or other harmful effects. Using appropriate tools such as scoops, spatulas, or gloves helps to maintain a clean working environment and ensures that the reagents remain uncontaminated and effective for their intended purpose.

Other factors, like the speed of the process or laboratory policies, may be relevant in specific contexts, but the primary concern remains the integrity and purity of the chemical materials being used.

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It may create a reaction

It is against laboratory policy

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