Strong contamination with ethidium bromide

[Dr Engelbert Buxbaum]

> That said, I never wear gloves while pouring gels. Gloves are
> abused in today's labs to the point of them being bigger problem
> than the problems they are supposed to protect from.

At least one should think about were to use them. Diaminobenzidine for  
example is a very fine powder, if you handle an open bottle with gloves  
the static electricity will blow it right into your face. But your hands,  
of course, are protected.

Removing Eppendorf vials with radioactive samples from a waterbath is  
another example. The things are so slippery that you easily splash the  
sample across the entire room. I do use gloves when aliquoting radioactive  
stocks, but for the few nCi in a sample gloves are indeed more of a  
problem than a solution.

To the OP: Before you start working with a substance you should read up on  
its properties. Bottle labels and catalogues contain the most important  
info like R/S statements. In addition, there are material safety data  
sheets (MSDS) available via suppliers web sites. Your lab may also have  
printed copies for the chemicals they use (required in some  
jurisdictions). There should also be reasonable supervision and training  
of new staff members, letting them handle dangerous chemicals without  
training is simply criminal.