8/18/1999
With 700 sea urchins world wide it would be impossible to list all the hazards. Primarily, you should assume that poking a spine into skin [or eye, etc. ouch!] may prove to be a problem in two ways.
1) The spine itself in most species is slightly to moderately poisonous.
2) A secondary infection almost always sets in, especially if the spine is not completely removed. Use a dissecting scope and fine forceps to remove the spine, if necessary. They can work their way in pretty deep. See a doctor if necessary. Coat infected area with 70% alcohol or other disinfectant to prevent infection.
LEARN ABOUT YOUR PARTICULAR SEA URCHIN! See a doctor if needed!
Here is a list of all the chemicals mentioned on this site with safety information, if it is known.
|
Acetic Acid |
CAS# 6344 corrosive, slight poison, suspect cancer, combustible, acid, mucus membranes, skin poison |
|
Ammonium Chloride |
CAS# 5277 slight poison, skin irritant, lung irritant, eye irritant |
|
Ampicillin |
CAS# 4879 suspect cancer |
|
Calcium Chloride |
CAS# 489 slight poison, suspect cancer, skin irritant, lung irritant, eye irritant, skin poison |
|
Calcium Nitrate |
CAS# 550 oxidizer, slight poison, eye irritant, blood toxin, skin irritant, lung irritant |
|
Chloramphenicol |
CAS# 2351 slight poison, suspect cancer, halogen comp., blood toxin, reg-ab2588 ai, reg-prop 65 cancer |
|
Chlorox |
CAS# 7681-52-9 oxidizers, corrosives, suspect carcinogen, mutagen, or reproductive hazard, base, mucous membrane damage by oxidizers and corrosives, extremely hazardous waste |
|
Choline Chloride |
CAS# 6693 slight poison, skin irritant, lung irritant, eye irritant |
|
EGTA |
CAS# 2756 slight poison |
|
Ethanol |
CAS# 5578 flammable, slight poison, suspect cancer, skin irritant, liver toxin, kidney toxin, lung irritant, eye irritant, reg-ab1803 wells, reg-prop 66 reproductive hazard |
|
Glucose |
CAS# 5073 NON-HAZARDOUS |
|
Glycine |
CAS# 2339 NON-HAZARDOUS |
|
Glycerol |
CAS# 5486 EYE IRRITANT |
|
Magnesium Chloride |
CAS# 4946 slight poison, suspect cancer, skin irritant, lung irritant, eye irritant |
|
Magnesium Nitrate |
CAS# 6155 oxidizer, skin irritant, lung irritant, eye irritant, mucus membranes |
|
Magnesium Sulfate |
CAS# 488 suspect cancer |
|
Motor Oil |
Suspect carcinogen, mutagen, or reproductive hazard, SARA section 313 toxic chemicals, Prop. 65 Carcinogen |
|
Potassium bicarbonate |
CAS# 5377 slight poison, skin irritant, lung irritant, eye irritant |
|
Potassium Chloride |
CAS# 6340 lung irritant, suspect cancer, slight poison, skin irritant, eye irritant |
|
Potassium Gluconate |
CAS# 1758 NON-HAZARDOUS |
|
Potassium Nitrate |
CAS# 4597 oxidizer, slight poison, suspect cancer, blood toxin, mucus membranes |
|
Rhodamine B |
CAS# 5043 moderate poison, suspect cancer, skin irritant, kidney toxin, eye irritant, reg-sara 313, reg-prop 65 cancer |
|
Salad Oil |
|
|
Sodium Bicarbonate |
CAS# 4605 slight poison, suspect cancer, skin irritant, eye irritant |
|
Sodium Chloride |
CAS# 6306 slight poison, suspect cancer, skin irritant, lung irritant, eye irritant |
|
Sodium nitrate |
CAS# 3035 oxidizer, slight poison, suspect cancer, mucus membranes |
|
Sulfamethoxazole |
Irritant to eyes, respiratory system and skin |
|
Toluene |
CAS# 5299 flammable, slight poison, suspect cancer, skin irritant, liver toxin, kidney toxin, nerve toxin, lung irritant, eye irritant, skin poison, reg-epa, reg-ab1803 wells, reg-sara 313, reg-ab2588 ai, reg-dhs drinking |
|
Trimethoprim |
Reproductive hazard, toxic by inhalation contact with skin, allergic reaction, mutagen, target organ - bone marrow |
|
Triton X-100 |
CAS# 7032 skin irritant, lung irritant, eye irritant |
|
Xylene |
CAS# 1197 flammable, slight poison, suspect cancer, skin irritant, liver toxin, kidney toxin, blood toxin, lung irritant, eye irritant, skin poison, reg-ab1803 wells, reg-sara 313, reg-mcl list, reg-ab2588 aii |
|
WARNING - ONLY TEACHERS should handle the syringe with the potassium chloride. Potassium chloride itself is not particularly hazardous, being the main ingredient in substitute salt formulations, but injection into a vein or artery can cause an electrical imbalance in the heart or in the brain resulting in death. |
BAD COMBINATION! CAN BE LETHAL!
ALWAYS CLEAN UP ALL SEAWATER SPILLS!
DO NOT USE SEAWATER AROUND ELECTICAL EQUIPMENT.
BE ESPECIALLY CAREFULL AROUND MICROSCOPES.
Seawater is also corrosive to most metals and can destroy equipment very quickly.