Biology Labs are not "unsafe"

To the Newspeak Editor:

The October 3, 1995 issue of Newspeak contained an article about the renovation of Biology Department labs in Salisbury. The author states: "many of the labs are currently not functional: the heating is poorly structured, there is no distilled water capability and the fume hoods do not work properly. Thus, they are both disfunctional and unsafe."

I cannot comment on the alleged heating or plumbing deficiencies. However, I can state that all fume hoods function properly, and meet or exceed the WPI standard of a minimum of seventy-five linear feet per minute of face velocity at fifteen inches of sash height. This measurement is taken using a calibrated, hot-wire anemometer during the annual lab inspection which I conduct with the Biology Dept. lab manager. If problems are noted, they are rectified using WPI's HVAC personnel on a prompt basis.

I also cannot agree that "the labs are unsafe." The BBT faculty and staff work hard to ensure that the labs which they are responsible for are in safe operating condition. I am sure that they embrace this NSF proposal to renovate their laboratories into state-of-the-art facilities in the coming year.

Respectfully submitted,

Dave Messier - Env. Health & Safety Officer

Give feedback: newspeak@wpi.wpi.edu
Maintained by: Troy Thompson