Those hazards which may cause measurable changes in the body or its functions

Physical

Chemical

Biological

Ergonomic

Psychosocial

Other(surfaces, flammables, heights, tips)

H.R.Sarreshtahdar, MDH.R.Sarreshtahdar, MDOccupational Medicine SpecialistOccupational Medicine Specialist

◦ Chemicals are the most common and significant health hazards

◦ Chemicals can be hazardous for numerous reasons and can combine with other chemicals to make new hazards

Ability of the substance to harm the body

The dose makes the poison Toxicity Depends on : Amount + Duration

Entail a risk due to:

◦Its toxicological properties

◦Its temperature

◦Its radioactivity

◦Displacement of atmospheric oxygen

◦Increase the risk of fire, explosion,…

CarcinogenicIrritant Corrosive SensitizingReproductive toxinGenotoxic Asphyxiants

IARCGroup 1 (carcinogenic)

◦ Benzene, PAH, asbestos, silicaGroup 2A (probably carcinogenic)

◦ Acrylonytrile, vinyl chlorideGroup 2B (possibly carcinogenic)

◦ Acrylamide, lead, chloroformGroup 3 (not classifiable)Group 4 (probably non-carcinogenic)

Causes a REVERSIBLE inflammatory effect on living tissue by chemical action at the site of contact◦Formaldehyde, most solvents

Causes visible Destruction of or IRREVISBLE alterations in living tissue by chemical action at the site of contact◦Phenol, acids and bases

Causes a substantial portion of exposed people to develop an Allergic reaction in normal tissue after repeated exposure to the chemical

Nickel,

Neuro-toxic Cardio-toxic Hepato-toxic Nephro-toxic Hemato-toxic Reproductive toxin

Oculo-toxic Oto-toxic Pulmonary toxin

Vasculo-toxic Dermato-toxic Immuno-toxic

Aerosols:◦ Dust◦ Fumes◦ Smoke◦ Fiber

Gases and vapors

Fluids

Independent

Additive

Antagonistic

Potentiating

Synergistic

Inhalation

Skin/eye contacts

Ingestion

Inhalable Particle Mass

Thoracic Particle Mass

Respirable Particle

Mass

Physical state Chemical structure Duration of exposure Frequency Route Intensity Environmental (temp/humidity/pressure) Individual factors

◦ race/genetics/immune/nutrition/activity/stress/ background disease

Environmental monitoring

Biological monitoring

Prepared by the chemical manufacturer or importer and describe:◦Physical hazards, such as fire and explosion

◦Health hazards, such as signs of exposure

◦Routes of exposure◦Precautions for safe handling and use

◦Emergency and first-aid procedures◦Control measures

Must provide information about the:

◦Physical and chemical

characteristics

◦Health effects

◦Exposure limits

◦Carcinogenicity (cancer-causing)

Information of the potential health

hazards of chemicals is derived from...

1) Toxicological studies (in vivo, in

vitro)

2) Case reports

3) Epidemiological studies

Acute oral, dermal or inhalation toxicity Provides information on acute health

hazards likely to arise from acute exposure to the substance by the given route, and on the magnitude of acute toxicity of the substance

usually these tests are made with rodents, dermal test quite often with rabbits

LD50/LC50 values (dose level which is caused death to 50% of animals)

Dose-response relationship: lead Dose-response relationship: lead decreased erythrocyte delta-ALAD activityincreased zinc protoporphyrin

anemia

CNS effects

decreased peripheral nerve conductivityNervous paralysis, lead colics

Adapted from Elinder C-G et al., Biologisk monitoring av metallerhos människa. Arbetsmiljöfonden, Uppsala, 1991

Metals

Solvents

Pesticides

Gases

Other chemicals

Lead

Nickel

Chrome

Mercury

Cadmium

Aliphatic (methan, ethylene, …)

Aromatic (benzene, styrene, toluene,…)

Alcohols

Petroleum distillates

Ethers

Esters

Organophosphates

Carbamates

Organochlorines

Pyrethrum, pyrethroid

Asphyxiants

Simple (CO2, methan, …)

Chemical (CO, H2S, HCN)

Toxic gases (arsine, phosphine, phosgen,

…)