by Lauren DiTullio, News Staff
Director of Communications Renata Nyul announced today that a university-wide review of laboratory safety procedures and protocols will be completed by the end of the semester.
“This is a big, elaborate review,” said Nyul. “It’s a pretty ambitious undertaking … it’s an appropriate time right now to do this and we have the perfect person to oversee it all.”
Nyul said the review, chaired by Vice Provost for Research Melvin Bernstein, will center on the findings of Bernstein and an undetermined team of other NU experts. Nyul said they will present their findings, along with any recommendations, to President Joseph Aoun at the end of the semester. She said that a review of this nature is “very normal practice for a big university.”
“Although the university has protocols surrounding the use of hazardous materials, I am calling for an extensive review of these protocols following Emily’s death. A review is both wise and appropriate at this time,” President Aoun said in a Sept. 13 e-mail to the Northeastern community, following the death of graduate student and researcher Emily Staupe.
Tehya Johnson, a fellow researcher and friend of Staupe, and a senior behavioral neuroscience major, said the university labs are heavily regulated. She said that in her experience all hazardous chemicals must be signed out in a log upon their removal.
Sophomore biology major Mike DiBello said he wasn’t familiar with an inventory system for keeping track of his use of hazardous chemicals in the experiments that he has done. However, he said they are always disposed of in special containers and never leave the lab. He also said students receive instructions on how to handle hazardous material.
“[The lab manuals] say the harmful effects of all the different chemicals,” he said. “Or at least, last year’s did. I haven’t gotten this year’s yet.”
Assistant professor in the psychology department Marcelo Febo said he felt the labs on campus are well regulated.
“I don’t think that any further safety and preventative measures related to hazardous materials, if they do take place, will have a negative impact on those working in the labs,” he said. “Our labs are really safe environments with a good level of security.”
He also said the review is still in the planning stages, and that little information has been made available to those outside of the reviewing process. Febo is not a member of the group conducting the review.
“In my opinion, the safer, the better for all,” Febo said.
Vice Provost Bernstein has extensive experience in the field of science, having formerly served as director of the Office of Research and Development, Science and Technology Directorate, within the Department of Homeland Security. The Office of Environmental Health and Safety oversees adherence to the safety guidelines in University labs. The director, John Price, did not return calls for comment.
