Page 122 - The Veterinary Laboratory and Field Manual 3rd Edition

The selection, use, maintenance and quality control of laboratory equipment and supplies 91

Figure 2.57 Standard glassware store containing flasks and glass bottles. It is important to have a good
system for washing and drying glassware to make sure that there is always sufficient glassware available
for use. Lack of glassware and /or staff can hold up work and result in poor productivity. If funds are avail-
able it is useful to have glass fronted cases to store glassware so that it is easy to see what is available for
use. Photo: Dr Ziay Ghulam, Dr Wahidullah Bahaer, Central Veterinary Diagnostic and Research Laboratory,
Kabul, Afghanistan.

hot concentrated phosphoric acid and hydro- bind and release (leach) solutes. Plastics are
fluoric acid). Glass is separated into four acid unaffected by most aqueous solutions. Table 2.4
resistance classes and borosilicate glass cor- presents details of plastic ware’s chemical resis-
responds to Class 1 tance and possibility to autoclave.
• alkaline solutions attack all glasses and boro- The type of receptacle used for laboratory
silicate glass can be classified as moderately procedures may depend on:
resistant. The alkali resistance of borosilicate
glass meets Class 2 requirements. • availability
• the nature of the test(s) to be performed.
Plastic containers are useful in the laboratory
because they are impact resistant and therefore Basic laboratory glassware includes bottles, bea-
less likely to break. Unlike some types of glass, kers, flasks, test tubes, graduated cylinders and
plastics do not release ions. However, they may pipettes.

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