Ethidium bromide is a mutagen and suspected carcinogen and teratogen. It is also a skin, eye, and upper respiratory tract irritant at high concentrations. As a highly toxic substance, there are several protocols regarding safe handling of ethidium bromide:  

• Pure ethidium bromide must always be handled in a fume hood while wearing full protective clothing including nitrile gloves, long sleeved lab coat, chemical safety goggles, and closed-toe shoes.
• Double gloving with nitrile gloves is recommended when working with high concentrations of ethidium bromide to minimize the risk of exposure. Latex gloves do not offer effective protection against EtBr.
• UV blocking eyewear must be worn at all times when using an ultraviolet light to visualize EtBr. Alternatively, visualization using ultraviolet light can be carried out in a UV cabinet with shielding glass.
• Stock solution preparations and other processes that can potentially generate EtBr dust or fumes must be carried out in a fume hood to prevent inhalation.
• An emergency shower and eyewash must be available and easily accessible nearby in case of accidental exposure.
• Users must wash their hands thoroughly after removing their gloves even if the gloves are not punctured or torn. This helps to eliminate any residual EtBr from the skin.