KARACHI, July 23: The International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), Karachi University, has published a safety manual to promote good laboratory practices as per the standards laid down by the Occupational and Safety Hazards Prevention Authorities (OSHA).

Acting director of the centre Prof Mohammad Iqbal Chaudhry, delivering a lecture at the ICCBS auditorium on Wednesday, said that the publication of the manual was necessary to protect chemical scientists, laboratory workers and others from the hazards involved. “Without observing the safety measures they may be affected with cancer or other biological hazards linked to chemical fumes while at work in laboratories,” he said.

He said that several types of hazardous chemicals were used in the laboratories and some of these were carcinogen chemicals, flammables, corrosive, methanol, cyanide and mercury.

The safety of these best brains of the country and safety of the people around them, as well as environment, was the foremost responsibility of the institution, he added.

He pointed out that some chemicals usually kept in laboratories could cause biological hazards such as bronchitis, eye-soaring, nervous disorders, cancer and skin diseases. In recent years, he said, the ICCBS had adopted a vigorous policy to motivate people to adopt best laboratory practices. An organised effort had been made to educate those engaged in handling emergencies.

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