What are the hazards of smoking in a chemistry lab?

Answer 1

If you smoke in a lab:

• you could start a fire
• your cigarette could transform chemicals into more hazardous chemicals that you will inhale
• the ash and smoke from your tobacco could mess up your lab work

Answer 2

Halogens in their elemental form are toxic and corrosive, but in varying degree. Fluorine gas is by far the most dangerous, and frankly, very few people have the expertise to handle it safely; I would have to recommend that the precaution that you should take is to simply not use it in the lab (or anywhere). The other halogens, chlorine, iodine, bromine, and astatine, are not that dangerous, although astatine is radioactive and so the usual precautions should be taken for exposure to radioactivity - but that is probably not what you had in mind anyway, you are more likely to be handing chlorine, iodine, and bromine. Iodine and bromine are relatively safe, take only the usual precautions that you would take with any chemical - don't spill them on your tuna sandwich. Chlorine is a toxic gas - you doubtlessly recall that it was used as a weapon in WW I - but it is only mildly toxic, as toxic gases go, not any more toxic that hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, or acetic acid, for example. Even if you inhale a small amount you will not be harmed, although you will feel a choking sensation. If you inhale a large amount you will suffer damage to your lungs from the acidity (chlorine gas forms hydrochloric acid when it dissolves in water) so if your particular lab work involves any large amount of chlorine gas, work in a well ventillated space and be prepared to leave the room quickly if the chlorine gets out of whatever container you are containing it in.

Answer 3

They are quite corrosive and can irritate the skin. The vapor is very corrosive and will damage the respiratory tract. They are also toxic.