Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

My daughter (5th grade) is interested in doing an experiment to size paper using the following chemicals --

Laundry starch
Fels Naptha soap
Carpenter's glue
Gelatine
Methyl Cellulose (a paper stiffener sold in art stores)

Are these chemicals likely to get past a scientific review committee as OK to use at home? Will extra forms be required? I was going to have her use gloves and goggles (expecially when grating the laundry soap), not sure what other safety issues I should be concerned with?

Thanks!
Janet

VHi,

I would not worry much about any of these materials. They are about as safe as any materials used in a science experiment can be. Keep them out of the mouth and eyes, and don’t let them stay in prolonged contact with skin, and you should have no problems at all using them. All the materials are essentially non-toxic, non-reactive, and non-flammable, but may be irritating to skin or eyes.
Using plastic/rubber gloves, goggles, and maybe a rubberized or plastic apron are good general habits to get into when doing experiments, but unless the student is know to be sensitive to these materials, are probably not essential in this experiment. If these materials get on your skin just wash them off immediately with lots of water immediately, and be sure to wash your hands carefully after stopping experimentation.

No safety review board approval should be required. All the materials are safe to use at home.

Have fun with the experiment!

Best regards,

Barrett L Tomlinson

Thanks for the quick reply!