Fully functional wet laboratories, each approximately 450 square feet in size, are key features of the Nunavut Research Institute (NRI) and Environmental Technology Program (ETP) facilities in Iqaluit. The NRI also operates smaller field laboratories in Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet. Collectively NAC's laboratories support a broad range of scientific work including sample processing, preparation, preservation, and analysis as well as teaching and training activities. NAC's laboratories are available for use by NAC students, staff, and faculty, and by NAC research partners and non affiliated researchers.
Some of the key features of NAC's laboratories in Iqaluit:
- Hazardous chemical storage cabinets
- Labconco chemical fume hoods
- Locking cupboards
- Telephones
- Stereomicroscopes
- Stainless steel counters
- Pot sinks and full sinks
- Assorted glassware, including separatory funnels
- Eye wash stations, First aid and burn kits, Chemical spill kits
- Direct Mercury Analyzer (DMA) 8520 (NRI laboratory only)
- Environmental chambers and Inucubators
- Digital balances
- Autoclave
- Lab fridges and freezers
- Lab Blenders
- Stir Plates
- Muffle Furnace
To learn more about our laboratories or to request laboratory access for research or training activities, please contact: Director, Innovation and Research.
Safe Use of NAC's Laboratory Facilities
Laboratories can be inherently dangerous places, and the attitudes and practices of individual laboratory users will determine their own safety as well as that of other lab users, and ultimately the safety of the whole community.
You must receive approval from the NRI and sign a laboratory user agreement before carrying out any activity in a NAC laboratory facility. Approved users must demonstrate that they have appropriate training in laboratory safety protocols and the experience to effectively carry out planned activities independently. The Nunavut Research Institute’s laboratory facilities in Rankin Inlet, Cambridge Bay and Iqaluit are not supervised by NRI staff on a full time daily basis.
Lab users must also provide all specialized instruments, chemicals, personal safety equipment (eye ware, lab coats, gloves), and any consumables (e.g. pipettes, tubes) required to safely undertake approved activities. Users must also commit to removing or disposing safely of any lab wastes and plan as well to remove any unused chemicals and supplies at the completion of an approved program. You may make arrangements with the NRI to store items for future use if adequate storage space available.
**NAC is currently updating health and safety plans and standard operating procedures for all laboratory facilities.**
*Remember, you must receive approval from the NRI before shipping chemicals or other hazardous materials to any NAC laboratory. When requesting approval, please clearly disclose:
- the type and quantity of all chemicals and chemical mixtures you will be bringing to the NRI laboratory, and how the chemicals will be used in the lab;
- the mode for transporting chemicals to and from the laboratory;
- personal protective equipment you are bringing to work safely with chemicals;
- Arrangements to remove unused chemicals from the NRI laboratory and/or procedures and materials you will employ to neutralize and dispose of unused chemicals on site.
Users may store small quantities of chemicals in a NAC laboratory in properly labeled containers while lab work is in progress (i.e. for the duration of a research visit). *Any unused surplus chemicals and chemical wastes must be removed or safely neutralized and disposed of any upon completion of an approved activity.
LONG TERM STORAGE OF CHEMICALS IS NOT PERMITTED IN ANY NAC LABORATORY.
Please bring the minimum quantity of chemicals required to complete lab work. Every effort should be made to avoid having surplus chemicals at the completion of lab work. Be advised that laboratory chemicals are classified as dangerous goods under federal transportation legislation. Shipping chemicals out of Nunavut requires the services of a certified dangerous goods handler which can be very difficult to obtain in Nunavut communities.