The protocol for this technique can be found here and MSDS for the reagents used can be found here.

Miniprep DNA extraction

Risks

Reagents - Several of the reagents used in this protocol have associated risks:

Buffer N3 - This reagent is harmful if swallowed and irritating to the eyes and skin.

To prevent contact with the skin, gloves and lab coats must be worn at all times when working with this reagent.

It is normal laboratory practice for scientists to never touch their faces while wearing gloves so the risk of getting the reagent in the eyes is small. If this is of great concern to the scientist however, we would recommend the use of safety goggles.

Swallowing the reagent is extremely unlikely to occur except in the case of contamination of food. To prevent this, storage of food and drink in the laboratory is forbidden and scientists should wash their hands (despite having used gloves) before leaving the lab.

Buffer P2 - This reagent is irritating to the eyes and skin. The precautions listed above should be observed when working with this reagent.

Buffer PB - This reagent is harmful if swallowed, irritating to the eyes and skin and flammable. The precautions listed above should be observed when working with this reagent.

As the reagent is flammable care should be taken to keep it away from open flames. Though open flames are used at no stage in this protocol it is possible that other experiments being run in the same lab will require them and the scientist must be careful to take note of them.

RNase A solution - This reagent is irritating to the skin and mucous membranes and may cause sensitisation through the skin and inhalation.

Irritation to the skin can be prevented through the precautions listed above, to reduce the risk of inhalation experiments should be carried out in well ventilated rooms. If this is of great concern masks may be worn.

As always, refer to the departmental waste poster on the safety homepage if unsure about reagent disposal.