Hazards. No specialty chemicals or solvents were used in the entire procedure, thereby eliminating any possibility of students' exposure to hazardous materials. However, the MALDI TOF MS instrument employs a UV laser for ion production and high voltage for ion acceleration. Although the instrumental design eliminates the operator's exposure to either laser radiation or high voltage under normal operating conditions, caution must be taken in order to prevent any possibility of electrical shock or eye exposure to the laser beam by following the instrument manufacturer's operating instructions. Students must wear protective eyeglasses and be closely supervised by a qualified person at all times.