en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Wetterhahn
1 correction found
mandated the use of plastic-laminate gloves when handling this compound.
OSHA did not issue a binding glove mandate here. Its dimethylmercury bulletin gave guidance and recommendations, saying Silver Shield laminate gloves "should" be worn, and it explicitly notes that Hazard Information Bulletins do not necessarily reflect OSHA policy.
Full reasoning
This wording overstates what OSHA did after Karen Wetterhahn's death.
OSHA's official Hazard Information Bulletin: Dimethylmercury says:
- "Individuals should consider the use of less hazardous substances unless dimethylmercury is specifically required."
- "Permeability tests have shown that Silver Shield laminate gloves are impermeable to dimethylmercury for at least 4 hours. The Silver Shield glove should be worn under an outer glove..."
That is guidance language, not a regulatory mandate specific to this compound. The same OSHA page also states that Hazard Information Bulletins are issued to provide information about hazards and that "HIBs do not necessarily reflect OSHA policy."
So OSHA recommended / advised the use of laminate gloves in this bulletin; it did not "mandate" them in the way this sentence claims.
1 source
- OSHA Hazard Information Bulletins: Dimethylmercury
Recommendations ... Individuals should consider the use of less hazardous substances unless dimethylmercury is specifically required. ... Permeability tests have shown that Silver Shield laminate gloves are impermeable to dimethylmercury for at least 4 hours. The Silver Shield glove should be worn under an outer glove ... References 1 ... HIBs do not necessarily reflect OSHA policy.