ABSTRACT
Working with DNA often involves the use of hazardous chemicals and equipment. The following recommendations are intended to protect the experimenter’s health and should be read in advance of starting laboratory work:
1. Chloroform, isoamyl alcohol, phenol, and solutions containing high concentrations (0.2% and more) of
β
-mercaptoethanol are often used in DNA isolation protocols. Glass plates used for polyacrylamide (PAA) gel electrophoresis are occasionally treated with repel-silane or bind-silane (see Chapter 4.3.5). All of these compounds are toxic upon inhalation and should be handled in a fume hood.
