Final answer:
Proper chemical storage is essential for safety and includes measures to prevent chemical degradation, such as managing temperature and handling, as well as safety considerations like correct disposal and knowing laboratory safety equipment locations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Proper chemical storage is critical for maintaining safety in a laboratory environment. It involves specific practices like storing highly reactive substances, such as sodium, under oil to prevent reactions with air or water, and keeping gases like chlorine, which are toxic, in secure gas cylinders. Chemicals should be stored according to their long-term storage requirements and short-term temperature stability. It is important also to consider the post-preparative stability to ensure that the chemicals maintain their efficacy over time, and to manage the freeze-thaw cycle for substances that are sensitive to freezing and thawing.
Safety measures should be strictly followed, including understanding the location of safety equipment such as the fire extinguisher and the eyewash station. Safety data sheets should be consulted for each chemical to know how to handle them properly, including their disposal. Flammable chemicals must be managed with extreme care, and specific protocols, like adding acid to water and not the reverse, must be adhered to avoid dangerous reactions. Glassware should be handled appropriately, avoiding heating thick glassware that can break easily, and when smelling chemicals, wave the fumes towards you rather than placing your nose directly above the container.
Lastly, it's critical to ensure that chemicals are disposed of correctly, as not all chemicals can be washed down the sink due to potential harm to the environment or sewer systems. In the event of an accident or spill, the teacher should be notified immediately for proper management of the situation.