Needles and syringes can be a high safety risk if handled improperly. Understanding the proper use, safe practices, disposal, and various needle and syringe options available to lab personnel are important to minimize the exposure to harmful hazardous chemicals in research laboratories. Avoid using needles if safe and effective alternatives are available. Show For detailed information on needle and cannula selection, use, and safety, including illustrated instructions on air-free and pyrophoric handling techniques, see Safe Handling of Cannulas and Needles in Chemistry Laboratories. Needle and Syringe OptionsTypes of SyringesDisposableFigure 1. Examples of all polyethylene syringes Polyethylene barrel with a rubber-tipped plunger (usually black rubber)
All polyethylene (NormJect®)
ReusableGlass Syringes Glass bodied syringes are available in two basic types. The first type mates a glass barrel with an accurately ground bore with a similarly accurately ground solid non-compliant plunger, which may be made from glass or stainless steel. In this type of syringe, there is no seal between the barrel and the plunger, rather liquid or gas escape is prevented merely by the barrel and plunger fitting together with extremely small clearance. The second type of glass syringe uses a barrel with a polished interior and a plunger with a compliant head (PTFE) which fits tightly by virtue of its elasticity.
Return to top Syringe FittingsMost syringes and needles fit together using the Luer system, which consists of a standardized male taper on the syringe and a corresponding female taper on the needle. Although most commonly used on syringes and needles, these fittings are also available on cannulas, valves, and other accessories. Luer SlipFigure 2. Luer Slip (Left) and Luer Lock (Right) with rubber tip plungers
Luer Lock
Return to top Selecting the Appropriate NeedleHypodermicLength
Diameter
CannulasA hollow, double ended needle.
Safer Needle DevicesThe most basic way to increase needle safety and avoid needlestick injuries is to use blunt ended needles whenever possible. Blunt-ended needles are not suitable for injecting liquid through rubber septa but they have numerous other uses including measuring liquid, transferring liquid between vessels, and applying adhesives. Various kinds of safety needles are available as an engineering safety device to reduce the risk of needlestick injuries. They all work on the principal that after using the syringe and needle, the sharp point is protected either by some kind of cover or by the needle retracting into the syringe. Safety needles are a safe alternative to recapping of needles, which is normally prohibited as a hazardous activity. Safety needles are of particular utility in health care settings or when working with animals. Examples of Safety Needles
Return to top Needle and Syringe Safe PracticesFigure 3. Do not recap needle.
Return to top Additional Safety Measures
Figure 5. Syringe barrel and needle stored in flask.
Return to top Rubber Septa
Syringe Filters
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