Chemicals

Forms

Chemical health hazards may be divided into the following categories:Toxic, including carcinogenic;Corrosive & irritant;Dermatitic/sensitising

Forms

Chemical hazards can also be classified according to physical state:Liquids (fluids)Dusts (solid particles)Fumes (fine solids, often metallic)Mists (finely suspended droplets)Vapours (gaseous form of a solid or liquid)

CHIP

Classify substance (Approved supply list) Assign categories of danger & risk phrases Provide safety data sheet Label Safe packaging Child-resistant closures Tactile danger warnings Mention hazards in advertisements

Health Effects of Hazardous Substances Under CHIP, suppliers must classify dangerous chemicals under one or more

of the following: Very toxic Toxic Harmful Corrosive Irritant Sensitising Carcinogenic Mutagenic Toxic for reproduction

Safety Data Sheets

• Composition and/or ingredients

• Hazards

• First aid

• Fire fighting

• Accidental release

• Handling & storage

• Exposure controls

• Personal protection

• Physical & chemical properties

• Stability & reactivity

• Toxicological info

• Ecological info

• Disposal

• Transport

• Regulatory & other info

Lead

Most dangerous as a fume or dust Target organs:

Central nervous system Gastrointestinal tract Blood & blood-forming organs Muscles of wrist or foot Gums

Symptoms affect gastrointestinal tract, nervous system and blood

Mercury

Target organs:Central nervous system & brainKidneys

Symptoms affect central nervous system with personality changes

Workers at risk:DentistryThermometers, barometers, electrical switchgear

Benzene

Volatile liquid absorbed by inhalation and skin contact

Target organs:Central nervous systemBlood-forming organs

Symptoms are narcosis, anaemia and leukaemia

Phenol

Corrosive & toxic substance absorbed by the skin

Systemic toxin affecting central nervous systemSymptoms affect central nervous system, liver

and kidneys

Trichloroethylene

Harmful by inhalation, prolonged skin contact & ingestion

Affects central nervous system, skin and respiratory tract

May be an animal carcinogen

Siliceous Dust

Inhalation of dust causes fibrosis of lungsSymptoms caused by reduced lung function,

breathlessness, heart strain and possibly death

Asbestos

Inhalation of dust causes fibrosis of lungsSymptoms caused by reduced lung function,

breathlessness, heart strain & possibly deathRisk of lung cancer in fibrotic regions

Carbon Monoxide

Invisible gas absorbed by lungs into blood stream, combining with haemoglobin and inhibiting oxygen transport

Oxygen starvation causes loss of consciousness

Carcinogens

Produce malignant tumours by affecting cell functioning

Long latency period and no threshold of harmExamples:

Tars (skin cancer)Asbestos (lung cancer & mesothelioma)Vinyl Chloride Monomer (angiosarcoma)

Corrosive Substances

Acids destroy living tissue and cause severe burns; examples include nitric and sulphuric acid

Ammonia is a corrosive alkaline gas, soluble in water, which can cause severe burns by liquid contact or inhalation

Dermatitic HazardsDermatitis: non-infectious inflammatory condition

of the skin caused by contact with chemical, physical or biological agents

Classified into two forms:Contact: caused by contact with primary cutaneous

irritants (greases, mineral oils, solvents);Sensitisation: Caused by cutaneous sensitisers

(rubber additives, nickel compunds, hardwood dust)

Sensitisers

Chemical agents able to produce an allergic reaction in certain individuals

Production of antibodies triggers an allergic reaction each time person is subsequently exposed to very small quantities of the causative agent

Sensitisers Respiratory System:

Results in asthma 2 principle types of agent:

Antigens, such as flour, grain & shellfish proteinSubstances such as isocyanates and platinum salts

Skin: Results in dermatitis Skin reaction will occur whenever there is further contact with

sensitising agent (common sensitising agents are isocyanates)

Sensitisers

Chemical agents able to produce an allergic reaction in certain individuals

Production of antibodies triggers an allergic reaction each time person is subsequently exposed to very small quantities of the causative agent