I suggest that in the future and before they submit their manuscripts for publication, authors of articles submitted to this Journal refer to the Eleventh (or more recent) Annual Report on Carcinogens (2) and to Frazier and Hage (3) or other reliable source on reproductive toxicity to check on the carcinogenicity and fetotoxicity, or lack of such, for the elements and compounds they recommend for use and handling by students. It would be a good idea also for authors to check on potential reactive hazards by referring to the current edition of Bretherick’s Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards (4).

Literature Cited

1. Bentley, A. K.; Farhoud, M.; Ellis, A. B.; Lisensky, G. C.; Nickel, A.-M. L.; Crone, W. C. J. Chem. Educ. 2005, 82, 765–766.
2. National Toxicology Program: 11th Report on Carcinogens (accessed Sept 2005). The hazards of nickel compounds are described in this substance profile (accessed Sept 2005).
3. Frazier, L. M.; Hage, M. L. Reproductive Hazards of the Workplace; John Wiley & Sons: New York, 1998.
4. Bretherick’s Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards, 6th ed.; Urben, P. G., Ed.; Pitt, M. J. compiler; Butterworth-Heinemann: Boston, 1999.

See the authors' reply.