NMR Core – Safety

UNC-CH Chemistry NMR Facility

Safety in the Low Field (CA044) and High Field (CAO51) NMR Rooms and in the Magnet

Rooms CA046 and CA050

Magnetic Field Hazards:

Extremely high magnetic field strengths found in the NMR Facility can generate large attractive forces on ferromagnetic objects. Do not bring anything metallic (watches,keys), electronic

(cell phones, ipods, etc) or magnetic (credit cards, onecard) within the magnet rooms. Those with medical devices or medical implants (ie pacemakers, prosthetics) must remain outside of the magnet rooms.Contact Marc ter Horst for more information.

Eye Protection:

Safety glasses or goggles should be worn when entering the NMR magnet rooms and when handling dangerous samples.

Cryogens and Quenching:

The cryogens used in the NMR Facility are liquid nitrogen (-196 °C) and liquid helium (-269 °C). These gases may pose a threat during a magnet quench. If you observe a sudden exhaust of gas from a magnet (and NMR staff are not performing a routine cryogen fill), EXIT the NMR laboratory immediately and contact the NMR facility staff as soon as possible.

NMR After Hours:

The NMR rooms are locked between the hours of 5 pm and 8 am Monday through Friday,as well as 24 hours during the weekend. Trained users can use their UNC onecard to access to the NMR rooms during these times. The NMR staff may not be present during these hours. Do not let anyone unfamiliar into the laboratory. If there is a serious problem with your sample or the spectrometer (ie. broken tube), contact NMR facility staff. If there is a serious or life-threateni ng emergency, call 911. Panic buttons (small,black,circular buttons) have been placed in each NMR room (near the door in the “Low Field” room, C044 and near the kiosk computer in the “High Field” room, C051). Pressing the button will directly contact the police, so do so only in an emergency.

Chemical  and  Glass  Safety:

Chemical spills and broken glass should be cleaned up and disposed of in the waste containers in the prep lab.Contact NMR facility staff for assistance, if necessary. All injuries related to broken glass must be reported to the NMR facility director.

Fire Safety:

In case of fire, leave the NMR lab immediately via the closest, clear exit. See the map for the doorways and exit paths around the NMR facility.

Instrument Care:

Handle the spinners with care: do not drop them or get them dirty. Notify the staff immediately if a sample is broken inside or around the magnet. The probe may need to be removed and cleaned before normal operation can proceed. Failure to do so may result in further damage and more expensive repairs.