And for the second organic lab in a row, I spilled a dangerous reagent on my hands. Last week...(Lab notebook: " WHATEVER you do, DO NOT get the bromine solution ANYWHERE near the skin, Kara, seeing as it causes severe burns and hard-to-heal blisters." [yes the safety section of my lab book feels the need to address me by name]) And of all the many chemicals dispensed by me that day, which one did I spill prolifically on my fingers? That's right- the bromine solution. Luckily I react quickly to such things, and so I am still in possesion of a hearty layer of skin over my hands.
Today it was ethanolic potassium hydroxide. I was marvelling at the soft texture of my finger when I realized, hey, that's not just soft, its soapy!! Then it hit me. Soapy skin= base burn= intense pain. So as my skin was saponifying I made my way (very very quickly) to the sink. Yes, my fingers are fine thanks to sodium thiosulfate and a fifteen minutes of water running over them.
Basic lesson: Kara plus chemicals = liability.
Perhaps the best solution would be for me to wear a large protective suit like those space explorers in old sci fi movies do. Apparently goggles don't cut it for me. At the very least they should require me to wear yellow rubbber kitchen gloves that go to my elbows. This, however, would leave my already challenged hands thick and unweildy, which would undoubtedly cause even more accidents.
I think I should star in one of those safety videos that everyone has to watch for chemistry lab. They could just follow me around for examples of what not to do. It is about time they film a new one anyway. Apparently there has only ever been one lab safety video made, seeing as I have watched the same video four times: twice in high school and twice in college. I think they keep the 80's masterpiece around not only because of the supreme acting display, but also because of the creepy shower scene which never fails to amuse students. (A guy spills acid or something all over himself and has to undress and go under the full body shower...as the narrator encourages students not to be modest because the teacher will escort everyone out of the lab, the video shows a male "friend" holding the burn victim's clothes and staring unabashedly at the poor naked boy under the safety shower! It is shockingly hilarious.) On second thought, I think I would pass up the opportunity to be in a lab safety video. I couldn't handle the scandalous shower scene.
In my defense, all these accidents arise from intrinsic need-lunch is on the line. Due to poor scheduling, I only have time to eat lunch if I get out of lab early. This means I rush through everything. I will sacrifice my skin for food.
Despite my reasoning, I still must admit that in general, I am fairly absent-minded. This may not explain the spills, but it does explain many other things. At least it fits nicely with my career goal, seeing as "absent-minded" is commonly paired with my dream job of "professor". Good thing I don't want to be a doctor...I would end up as one of those surgeons that accidentally left a large metal instrument in a patient while performing surgery. I would realize about the time I got to the last stitch. That's when you just have to shrug and say, "well we will just give him a note for the airport security working the metal detectors."