I just started do research about polyNIPAAM last month. I always wear complete laboratory equipment (laboratory coat, gloves, and mask) in every experiment, the laboratory is also equipped with blower. The NIPAAM monomer odor is VERY STRONG. Although I wear gloves, NIPAAM odor still remains on my hand. Even I washed my hand for many times, it’s very difficult to remove the odor. I checked the MSDS of NIPAAM monomer, but no clear information I got about the toxicity. As I know, polyNIPAAM is non toxic, since it used it biomedical application. But I’m not really sure with the monomer. Is there anyone ever worked with NIPAAM monomer? Does it has high toxicity?
If you are unsure, you should treat it as so. Toxicity is dictated by dose, so make sure you are wearing the proper gloves and handling it properly as described by your SDS. For acrylamides, I believe nitrile gloves with a minimum thickness of 0.11 mm should work. If not, double up. Latex gloves will not work, the chemical will penetrate them.
Most acrylamides do show some signs of neurotoxicity and other negative effects [Hashimoto K et al; Arch Toxicol 47 (3): 179 (1981)].
Good luck and be safe.
Dr. JW
Hello all,
I too have started working with NIPAAM for the applications of thermal-responsive hydrogel. The odor left over after simply uncapping and measuring the substance lingers around my lab for days on end. I have gone through extensive preventative measures to eliminate the odor after use but all have failed.
They go as followed:
Moving the measuring scale inside the fume hood
Keeping all types of trash in a separate container (also kept inside the fume hood) and never allowing them to leave the fume hood unless they've been properly sealed.
However, the NIPAAM still manages to linger around the lab for days on end. Not to mention, the NIPAAM odor permeates into the scale once it has been taken outside of the fume hood for my co workers to use, where the scale then stinks of the chemical. I've even gone to the extent of washing the scale down with isopropyl alcohol to remove the odor but it does not work.
Does anyone have any advice on how to eliminate/contain this chemical's odor?
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Physical Sciences
- Materials Science
- Materials
- Polymers