CHEMICAL SAFETY IN SCHOOLS a perspective

Hazardous Chemical Incident Methylisocyanate (MIC) incident at Bhopal, India 3,300 people killed immediately; 16,000 after ten years 40 tons of MIC released that covered 20 Km 2 Over 500,000 people suffered effects of gas Ground water hazard for ten years

Hazardous Chemicals Physical Hazards Explosives Explosives Compressed gases Compressed gases Flammable and combustible liquids Flammable and combustible liquids Flammable solids Flammable solids Oxidizers Oxidizers Poisons Poisons Radioactive Radioactive Corrosives Corrosives Health Hazards Asphyxiant Carcinogen Irritant Corrosive Sensitizer Toxic Agent Any chemical (solid, liquid, gas) that can cause harm to people and their surroundings

Hazardous Chemicals Commercial hazardous chemicals Commercial hazardous chemicals Household hazardous chemicals Household hazardous chemicals Hazardous materials locations Hazardous materials locations

Typical Hazardous Chemical Locations Chemical plants Chemical plants Warehouses Warehouses Tank farms Tank farms Truck, shipping, airline terminals Truck, shipping, airline terminals Weapons depots Weapons depots Hospitals Hospitals Laboratories Laboratories Truck, shipping, airline terminals Truck, shipping, airline terminals Nuclear plants Nuclear plants Maintenance facilities Maintenance facilities

Type of Hazardous Chemicals Solid Solid –Arsenic, Cyanide, Pesticides, Pyrophorics, Explosives Liquid Liquid –Acid, Caustics, Flammables, Solvents, Organic Toxins, Pesticides, Medicines Gas Gas –CO, Chlorine, Phosgene, Ammonia

Solid Chemicals–Hazards Entry: ingestion, skin, inhalation Entry: ingestion, skin, inhalation Often highly concentrated Often highly concentrated Generally immobile Generally immobile Usually requires secondary carrier Usually requires secondary carrier –Water –Fire –Explosion

Liquid Chemicals–Hazards Entry: skin, ingestion, injection Entry: skin, ingestion, injection Often concentrated Often concentrated Mobile and often water soluble Mobile and often water soluble Can form toxic vapors Can form toxic vapors Can use secondary carrier Can use secondary carrier –Food and water –Fire –Explosion

Toxic Gases–Hazards Entry: respiratory, eyes, skin, ingestion Entry: respiratory, eyes, skin, ingestion Rapid route into the body Rapid route into the body Very mobile Very mobile Can be produced by a liquid or Can be produced by a liquid or solid, or compressed form Deceptive and quick Deceptive and quick

Effects of Hazardous Chemicals Any substance that can result in harmful effects Any substance that can result in harmful effects –Immediate (acute) –Delayed (minutes or hours) –Long Term (chronic) –Temporary effects –Permanent effects

Toxic Chemical Routes of Entry Eyes Respiratory tract Skin Ingestion Injection

Intensity of Effects Varies by Varies by –Type of chemical –Exposure (time X amount) –Physical health –Age –Weather (wind, temperature, rain)

Symptoms Coughing Coughing Constricted pupils, red teary eyes Constricted pupils, red teary eyes Bleeding or hemorrhaging Bleeding or hemorrhaging Strong or unusual smell Strong or unusual smell Strange behavior Strange behavior Convulsions Convulsions Unconsciousness Unconsciousness

Symptoms Difficulty breathing Difficulty breathing Blurred vision Blurred vision Runny eyes and nose Runny eyes and nose Slurred speech, disorientation Slurred speech, disorientation Skin irritation Skin irritation Nausea Nausea Sudden headache Sudden headache Weakness Weakness If you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately

SAFETY IN CHEMISTRY

Activity-General Hazards- Precautions-- All school laboratories should have the following; laboratory hood if toxic, volatile chemicals are used; eyewash fountains, emergency showers (if concentrated acids, bases or other corrosive chemicals are present); first aid kits, proper fire extinguishers; protective goggles, gloves and lab coats, proper disposal receptacles and procedures; spill control kit. Avoid carcinogens, mutagens and highly toxic chemicals like mercury, lead, cadmium, chlorine gas, etc.

Activity-Organic Chemistry Hazards-Solvents Precautions-Use only in laboratory hood Use least toxic solvents Do semi-micro or microscale experiments.

Activity-Organic Chemistry Hazard-Peroxides and explosives Precautions-Do not use explosive or Chemicals such as ether which can form explosive peroxides.

Activity-Inorganic Chemistry Hazards-Acids and Bases Precautions-Avoid concentrated acids and bases when possible

Activity-Analytical Chemistry Hazards-Hydrogen sulphide Precautions-Do not use hydrogen sulphide.Use substitutes

Activity-Storage Hazards-Incompatibilities Precautions-Avoid alphabetical storage, which can place incompatible chemicals in close proximity Store chemicals by compatible groups.

Seven Personal Protective Equipment Categories 1.Eyes 2.Ears 3.Head 4.Respiratory system 5.Hands 6.Feet 7.Whole body

Eye Protection PPE Safety glasses, safety goggles, face shields, welding helmets and full-face respirators Safety glasses, safety goggles, face shields, welding helmets and full-face respirators –Physical hazards: Fire, heat/cold, explosions, punctures, lacerations, abrasions and the absorption of chemicals –Health hazards: Acute and chronic health effects ranging from immediate blindness to a delayed infection of the eyes

Respiratory Protection PPE Air purifying respirators (APRs), supplied-air respirators (SARs) & oxygen breathing apparatus (OBAs) Air purifying respirators (APRs), supplied-air respirators (SARs) & oxygen breathing apparatus (OBAs) –Physical hazards: Dusts, mists, fumes, gases, and extreme heat and cold –Health hazards: Biological agents, lack of oxygen, toxic and flammable materials

Hand Protection PPE Gloves can provide protection from: Gloves can provide protection from: –Physical hazards: Heat, cold, punctures, lacerations, and burns –Health hazards: Acute or chronic disease caused by chemical or biological material being absorbed through, or entering through openings in the skin of the hands

Whole Body Protective Clothing The three body protective clothing for Chemicals is classified into protective Levels A, B, C & D

Did you Know? An improvised mask made by soaking a clean cloth in a solution of one table spoon of baking soda in a cup of water can provide some protection against chemical & biological agents. An improvised mask made by soaking a clean cloth in a solution of one table spoon of baking soda in a cup of water can provide some protection against chemical & biological agents. Covering all parts of body will protect against contact hazards. Covering all parts of body will protect against contact hazards.

The End