What should you do with your lab coat when leaving the lab?

Leaving your lab coat in the lab is the correct practice for several reasons related to safety and contamination control. Lab coats are designed to protect you from exposure to hazardous materials and are often contaminated with biological or chemical substances during use. By leaving them in the lab, you ensure that they can be properly cleaned and handled according to safety protocols.

In many laboratories, there are specific procedures for the laundering of lab coats, often involving a designated service that manages the cleaning to maintain hygiene and safety standards. This controlled environment reduces the risk of cross-contamination that could occur if lab coats were taken home where they might mix with other laundry.

The other options propose actions that could lead to unsafe practices or violate lab protocols. For example, taking the lab coat home risks spreading contaminants outside the lab environment. Rinsing it under an emergency shower might not effectively clean it and could lead to water contamination. Hanging a lab coat in the lunchroom poses a significant risk for cross-contamination and could endanger others who might come into contact with it. Therefore, the safest and most appropriate action is to leave the lab coat in the lab for proper handling and cleaning.