Almost every single doctor, nurse, surgeon or researcher in the medical field, will tell you that a good lab coat is extremely important during your work as a staff in the medical field. This not only applies to researchers, but even nurses and other support staff, as a good lab coat protects you from any accidents that might occur, especially if it concerns substances that might prove to be harmful to your physical body.
If you have the impression that most lab coats are white, you might be surprised to know that today, there are lab coats available in any color your could possible want. Even though the color of the lab coat does not necessarily mean anything significant, colors are useful in differentiating the many roles that different individuals play in any large medical institution, whereby everyone can be identified by the color of their lab coats.
Traditionally, doctors are assigned the white lab coats, whereas other staff members, who assist the doctors, are normally assigned green or blue lab coats. However, it is important to note that different organizations will distribute the color of lab coats different, as there is no universal guideline to follow.
You might also be surprised to know that there is actually more than one type of lab coat. Most lab coats are made from treated cotton, but today, there are lab coats made from all sorts of materials, designed specifically to give you maximum protection from specific chemicals and substances you might be handling. Also, there are disposable lab coats that allow you to dispose them easily and cleanly, without having to constantly send your lab coat for washing.
However, there is a common and general rule of thumb to follow concerning lab coats. Once a lab coat is stained or contaminated by a chemical, it is very important that you remove your lab coat and send it to professional chemical cleaners immediately. This is normally done to prevent any further contamination of other chemicals, or in some cases, to prevent any physical harm that might happen because of exposure of the split chemical or substance.
If you find that your lab coat is severely contaminated, it is extremely advisable for you to discard them properly as soon as possible, depending on the severity of the chemical substance contamination. When discarding your heavily stained lab coat, you should also remember to dispose of it properly, along with all the other chemically sensitive or toxic waste should be. Your stained lab coat should never, in any case, be mixed with other trash, as it might cause someone physical harm, or react with other toxic substances unintentionally.
Another thing you will need to note, is that it is highly recommended that you wear your lab coat properly at all times. This usually means that you have your lab coat fully buttoned up or zipped, and always have your sleeves fully extended and covering your arms. If you do not wear your lab coat properly, it will not be able to protect you from any toxic chemical substances that might cause you harm.
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