Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

If a bottle of cleaner has a pH of 10, what should you do when handling it?

1. Wear gloves only

2. Use heavy gloves and eye/face protection

3. Handle it without any protection

4. Use a mask only

The correct answer is: Use heavy gloves and eye/face protection

When handling a cleaner with a pH of 10, it is important to prioritize safety, particularly because alkaline substances can be caustic and may pose risks to skin and eyes upon contact. The proper protective equipment in this situation includes heavy gloves and eye/face protection, which serve to protect against potential splashes or spills that could cause skin irritation or eye damage. Wearing heavy gloves provides a barrier against skin exposure, especially for reactive substances that might not be easily rinsed off. Eye and face protection, such as goggles or face shields, is vital in preventing any chemical splashes from coming into contact with the eyes, as alkaline substances can lead to serious eye injuries. While gloves alone offer some protection, relying on them without additional eye and face protection does not adequately mitigate the risk posed by the cleaner. Similarly, handling the substance without any protection is unsafe and could result in harmful exposure. Using only a mask may protect the respiratory system, but it does not address the direct contact risks to the skin or eyes. Thus, the most comprehensive safety approach is to employ both heavy gloves and eye/face protection.