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 & brain
Kidneys
Symptoms affect central nervous system
with personality changes
Workers at risk:
Dentistry
Thermometers, barometers, electrical
switchgear
Benzene
Volatile liquid absorbed by inhalation and
skin contact
Target organs:
Central nervous system
Blood-forming organs
Symptoms are narcosis, anaemia and
leukaemia
Phenol
Corrosive & toxic substance absorbed by
the skin
Systemic toxin affecting central nervous
system
Symptoms 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 lungs
Symptoms caused by reduced lung function,
breathlessness, heart strain and possibly
death
Asbestos
Inhalation of dust causes fibrosis of lungs
Symptoms caused by reduced lung function,
breathlessness, heart strain & possibly death
Risk 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
harm
Examples:
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 Hazards
Dermatitis: 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 protein
Substances 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