Emily spills concentrated sodium hydroxide solution on her lab bench. What should she do first?

• A. Neutralize the spill with hydrochloric acid immediately.
• B. Ignore the spill and continue with her experiment.
• C. Alert her instructor and follow the laboratory's spill protocol.
• D. Wipe up the spill with paper towels.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recognize that sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a strong base and can cause chemical burns or damage surfaces, so safety is the top priority.
2. Understand that the first action should be to alert the instructor or responsible authority to ensure proper handling and safety measures are followed.
3. Follow the laboratory's spill protocol, which may include wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and using designated neutralizing agents or cleanup materials.
4. Avoid attempting to neutralize the spill yourself immediately, as improper handling can cause dangerous reactions or spread the chemical further.
5. Do not ignore the spill or wipe it up with paper towels without proper guidance, as this can increase risk of exposure or contamination.