A Laboratory Accident of Acryloyl Chloride, Its Consequences, Treatment, and Safety Measures: An Arduous Lesson to All Researchers

Abstract

Research and teaching have an array of unique hazards that reflects both the variety and continuous evaluation of their operation. These include technical, physical, chemical, or biological hazards. We are reporting a laboratory accident involving acryloyl chloride (chemical hazard), its consequences, safety precautions, and the lesson learned from this incident. Acryloyl chloride is a highly toxic and volatile liquid. After being accidentally exposed to acryloyl chloride, a victim experienced blackout, headache, dizziness, tiredness, nose bleeding, persistent burning of the eyes, and intense nausea and vomiting. A victim reported two distinct hazardous effects, namely, nose bleeding and stomach ulcers, which were not mentioned in the SDS of acryloyl chloride. To avoid further exacerbation of consequences of acryloyl chloride accident, it may be preferable to initiate steroidal therapy along with symptomatic treatment from the start. The accidental consequences and lessons learned from this tragedy will serve as guiding factors for research scholars, postdoctoral fellows, principal investigators (PI), safety professionals, institutions, occupational health nurses, physicians, and toxicologists to prevent anything similar from happening again in the future.

Shifting Culture from Blame to Gain: Challenges and Encouragements

“…This issue also contains two articles describing a researcher’s exposure to acryloyl chloride and acrylic acid. In the first publication, Patel et al discuss the effects of the exposure on the researcher and the limitations of safety data sheets (SDS), as well as recommendations for best practices for researchers using acryloyl chloride and first aid. The authors continue their “cycle of learning” in collaboration with Stanford University and publish an Addition further discussing the controls in place and reattributing some of the researcher’s symptoms to acrylic acid produced by quenching the acryloyl chloride …”

Covalent segmented polymer networks composed of poly(2-isopropenyl-2-oxazoline) and selected aliphatic polyesters: designing biocompatible amphiphilic materials containing degradable blocks

“…[27][28][29] However, these chemicals are toxic and require special safety conditions, complicating laboratory work. 30 Additionally, networks prepared by radical processes may contain significant levels of residual reagents or catalysts so these materials must be carefully purified before the planned biomedical use. Another group of methods is based on the covalent end-linking of building blocks that involve the coupling of polymers fitted with complementary reactive end groups.…”

When It Comes to Safety, Do Not Rush to Criticize

“…To supplement the researchers’ protection, Principals Investigators in India may assign additional personal protective equipment (PPE). Without the context, the actions and decisions described in the original paper did not make sense to the collaborators from Stanford, and so maybe you too will glean new insights from the Addition.…”