What is the recommended policy on mouth pipetting?

What is the recommended policy on mouth pipetting?

• A. No mouth pipetting
• B. Mouth pipetting is allowed with gloves
• C. Mouth pipetting is allowed with a straw
• D. Mouth pipetting is allowed when performing simple tasks

Answer: (A)

Never use the mouth to pipette. The risk of ingesting or inhaling hazardous liquids or aerosols is too high, so labs require a barrier between you and the liquid at all times. Using a mechanical pipette with disposable tips (or a pipette filler) keeps your mouth away from the sample and prevents accidental ingestion or splash exposure. Wearing gloves or trying to use a straw does not eliminate that risk—gloves don’t stop oral exposure, and a straw can still permit aerosol droplets to reach your mouth or contaminate hands and surfaces. Even seemingly simple tasks can lead to exposure, so the safe and standard practice is to avoid mouth pipetting altogether and rely on mechanical pipettes and proper technique.

Never use the mouth to pipette. The risk of ingesting or inhaling hazardous liquids or aerosols is too high, so labs require a barrier between you and the liquid at all times. Using a mechanical pipette with disposable tips (or a pipette filler) keeps your mouth away from the sample and prevents accidental ingestion or splash exposure. Wearing gloves or trying to use a straw does not eliminate that risk—gloves don’t stop oral exposure, and a straw can still permit aerosol droplets to reach your mouth or contaminate hands and surfaces. Even seemingly simple tasks can lead to exposure, so the safe and standard practice is to avoid mouth pipetting altogether and rely on mechanical pipettes and proper technique.