A trip to a lab technician's office to drop samples of your blood, stool, or urine might feel queer. The sterilized walls and surfaces, and the peculiar medical gadgets. The sharp disinfectant scent in the air cannot escape your attention. But above all, there is a clear preference for neutral colours. From whites to greys, blues, nudes, and a lot of transparency. Transparent glass jars with lids are among the standard utilities in any laboratory. You will find them in medical, research, and educational laboratories. And for logical reasons.
There are many scientific and medical uses of transparent containers. Plastics are quite common. But transparent glass jars with lids are quite prominent. Squat jars of various sizes have even greater utility in these environments.
Why Squat Jars are Laboratory Favourites
Squat jars are cylindrical glass jars with lids, straight sides, and a short neck. They often come with twist off lids that are nonreactive and airtight. The clear bodies and flat, sturdy bottoms of these versatile squat jars have marked them out. They are also long-lasting, reusable, and resistant to chemical attack.
Squat jars have various functions in different environments. They are famous for storing sizable quantities of all kinds of materials. Mention them - from ointments to pills, chemicals, and acids. They are also good for holding cosmetics, and different food items at home. They have various sizes ranging from 30ml up to 500ml.
5 Uses of Glass jars with Lids in a Laboratory
1. As Weighing Bottles
Squat glass jars with lids can serve as weighing bottles in the laboratory. They have very clear and smooth surfaces. This makes it easy to read their contents and weights on a measuring scale. Their wide mouths also simplify the filling and emptying of the glass jars.
These weighing bottles help to obtain accurate measurements and weights of laboratory materials. Even for small quantities, it is possible.
2. For Keeping Sterile Materials
Squat jars are oftentimes used to keep sterile materials. These include surgical tools, gauze, and cotton balls. These airtight glass jars with lids protect their contents from contamination and dirt.
3. For Holding Laboratory Specimens
The use of formaldehyde to preserve animal or plant specimens is common. Glass jars with lids are useful for keeping such specimens. It is extra convenient to use squat jars for storing specimens for later study or use. Because they have wide mouths that ease the immersion and storage of any object.
4. For Preserving Test Samples
Glass jars with lids are good for collecting biological test samples. They include urine, stool, blood, or tissue samples kept in sterile conditions. They can also keep environmental samples such as water and soil for later analysis.
Furthermore, you can observe physical or chemical changes within these transparent jars.
5. For Storing Chemicals
It is common practice to use glass jars with lids to store chemicals, reagents, and all kinds of solutions. These glass containers are resistant to rust and chemicals. Also, they have a broad, stable base. And their airtight lids can keep their contents intact for long periods. The contents do not evaporate, spill, or suffer contamination on a normal day.
Safety and Care of Glass Jars with Lids in Laboratory Environments
Glass is generally fragile. You cannot guarantee that they will never break. As such, handle laboratory glass jars - including squat jars - with care. To handle laboratory glass jars in a safe manner, follow the tips below.
● Careful Inspection Before Use
Before using any laboratory glass jar, make sure you check it well. Look for possible cracks, holes, chipped edges, or other flaws. If any, dispose of it in a safe manner. This is essential to prevent cuts from broken glass. To further reduce chances of breakage, make use of jar openers. Especially those crafted for opening glass jars.
● Use of Protective Kit
Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while working in the laboratory. Particularly before handling glass jars. Basic protective gear should include a lab coat, gloves, goggles, and shoes. With these, you can safeguard yourself from hazardous events. These include gases, spills, splashes, or shards of glass.
● Careful Storage
Use strong trays, cabinets, and shelves to store laboratory glass jars. Ensure the glass jars are resting on stable and level surfaces while using them. Yet again, do not place them close to open flames or edges. These preventive measures can help to forestall accidents.
● Dealing with Heat
It is never a good idea to expose laboratory glass jars to direct flames. Heating mantles or hot water baths are better alternatives. Furthermore, do not use or handle a hot glass jar until it cools down in entirety. These simple checks can prevent burns, as well as thermal shock (which leads to breakage).
● Safe Handling of Broken Glass
Before you handle broken glass, remember to don your personal safety kit - lab coat, gloves, and goggles. Remove broken glass at once, and sweep up the accident spot with a broom and dustpan. Have a container set apart for the safe disposal of such risky objects.
Conclusion
Glass jars with lids have wide applications in medical and scientific environments. They are airtight, anti-rust, and resistant to chemical effects. Their transparency also allows an observer to see the contents well. Or to see changes taking place inside the glass jars with clarity.
Still, it is important to wear personal safety equipment in a laboratory. More so before and while handling glass jars. If you discover cracked or broken glass, it is advisable to dispose of it at once.