There are very few items in the lab that are dangerous. Be careful of coverslips or cracked slides; it's easy to get glass shards in your fingers. Some of the vials of preserved materials are old and fragile as well. I generally allow students to eat and drink while in the botany lab as long as it does not interfere with the learning; it's hard to concentrate with a rumbling stomach! The biggest concern by far is FAINTING. As the temp rises and you spend more and more time on your feet looking at slides, the potential for fainting increases. If you break out in a sweat, or suddenly feel like everything has moved away from you, SIT OR LAY ON THE FLOOR IMMEDIATELY. Do NOT try to 'tough it out.' Once you are prone, get someone's attention and have them contact me...I'll either bring you something to drink (it's usually dehydration) or help you to the water fountain. If it's a severe case, a student may be sent to Monique in the Herbarium down the hall to call for an ambulance.