Safety and regulation

Sourcing isn’t only about where to buy. It’s also about what rules come with it. This page is a short, age-appropriate map, not legal advice. Your teacher, lab manager, or institution’s safety office always has the final word.

Area	What to know	Learn more
Nanomaterials	Free nanoparticles, especially dry powders, can be breathed in. Prefer liquid suspensions and work in a fume hood or enclosure	NIOSH nanotechnology
DNA synthesis	Suppliers screen orders and ask who you are. That’s normal and good	International Gene Synthesis Consortium
Living cells and bacteria	Biosafety rules apply even to harmless strains	NIH biosafety and biosecurity policies
Lithium batteries	Fire risk. Shipping is regulated as hazardous material	PHMSA lithium battery rules
Export controls	Some advanced fabrication tools, materials, and technical data need licenses to ship abroad	US Bureau of Industry and Security
Magnets	Strong magnets pinch and are dangerous if swallowed	Manufacturer guidance, for example K&J Magnetics
Cleanroom chemicals	Hydrofluoric acid and toxic gases are for trained users only	Your facility’s training

If a supplier asks for an institutional address, a PI or teacher’s name, or the purpose of your order, that is the system working as designed. Don’t try to get around it. Find a mentor or program instead.

Outside the US, look for your country’s equivalents: workplace safety agency, biosafety rules, and export-control authority.