Ace the ACS Lab Crash Course 2025 – Safety Savvy Awaits!

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is critical during chemical spills to protect individuals from harmful exposures to hazardous substances. In this context, gloves and goggles are essential components of PPE for multiple reasons.

Gloves serve as a barrier between the chemicals and the skin, preventing direct contact which can lead to skin irritation, burns, or systemic toxicity depending on the nature of the chemical involved. Different types of gloves are made from materials that are resistant to specific chemicals, thus ensuring that they provide the necessary protection.

Goggles are equally important as they shield the eyes from splashes, dust, or vapor exposure that may occur during a spill. The eyes are particularly vulnerable since many chemicals can cause severe irritation or long-term damage upon contact.

The other options do not provide adequate protection during a chemical spill. Lab coats alone may offer some level of clothing protection, but they do not safeguard the hands or eyes. Face masks and earplugs are less relevant in this scenario because they do not protect against liquid chemicals that could cause harm through skin contact or eye exposure. Regular clothing is unprotected and does not offer any chemical resistance, making it wholly inadequate in a laboratory setting where spills are a risk.