Hazardous Chemicals In The Laboratory A Guide for Their Safe Use and Disposal

THE HAZARD COMMUNICATION ACT  The Texas Hazard Communication Act (revised 1993) requires public employers to provide information to employees regarding hazardous chemicals they may be exposed to in the workplace  The purpose of this act is to reduce the incidence of chemically related occupational illness and injury and provide a means for the general public to learn about chemical hazards associated with business in the community

GENERAL HAZARD COMMUNICATION  Notification – Employers must inform employees of their rights to information concerning all toxic substances present in their workplace.  Information – Employers must respond to employee requests with specific information concerning any toxic substances present in the workplace.

GENERAL HAZARD COMMUNICATION (cont)  Training – Employers must train employees in the identity, properties and safe use of toxic substances they can expect to encounter in the course of their duties.  Record Keeping – Employers must keep records of employees exposed to substances with enforceable exposure standards.

EMPLOYEE RIGHTS  To be informed of exposure to hazardous chemicals  Ready access to MSDS  To receive training on hazardous chemicals  Cannot be required to work from unlabeled containers of hazardous chemicals  The right to file complaints with Texas Department of Health

CHEMICAL FORMS Chemicals can take three possible forms:  Solids - toner powder, smoke, dusts, sawdust and fumes  Liquids - rubber cement, paint thinner, solvents, mists and fuels  Gases and vapors - smoke, ammonia gas, paint vapors, gasoline vapors, carbon monoxide, natural gas and propane

HAZARD DETERMINATION Before working with any chemical, it is important to determine the hazards inherent in handling the material. The primary source of information is the label on the container and the MSDS.

HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS  On the UT Tyler campus, laboratory personnel work with a wide variety of chemicals.  The hazard presented by a chemical is dependent on both its physical and toxicological properties.  Many chemicals exhibit multiple hazard categories.

TYPES OF HAZARDS Chemicals generally cause two kinds of hazards:  Physical Hazards – risks associated with a chemical acting on a facility. Examples include fire reactivity and risk of explosion.  Health Hazards – risks associated with a chemical acting on humans. Examples include skin irritation, reaction to toxins, and the effects of carcinogens

CHEMICALS WHICH CAN CAUSE PHYSICAL HAZARDS  Flammable materials  Compressed gases  Organic peroxides  Pyrophorics  Water reactive chemicals  Combustible liquids  Explosives  Oxidizers  Unstable (reactive) chemicals

HEALTH HAZARDS How a chemical effects the body depends on a number of factors. The primary factors are: The quantity of material The absorption rate of the chemical The rate the chemical is metabolized The excretion rate of the chemical

ROUTES OF EXPOSURE Chemicals enter your body through four major routes:  Inhalation – inhaled through the mouth and nose  Absorption – absorb through skin, eyes and mucus membrane  Ingestion – through eating drinking or smoking while working with chemicals  Injection – through needle puncture or broken glass

CHEMICALS THAT CAN CAUSE HEALTH HAZARDS  Carcinogens - defined as a substance with the ability to cause tumors  Toxic chemicals - a chemical with an LD50 that falls into the following categories:  Oral: 50 – 500 mg/kg  Dermal: 200 – 1000 mg/kg  Inhalation: 200 – 2000 ppm  Corrosive chemical s- defined as corrosive if it causes visible destruction of, or an irreversible alteration in living tissue by chemical action at the site of contact

CHEMICALS THAT CAN CAUSE HEALTH HAZARDS (cont)  Irritants- a chemical which causes a reversible inflammatory effect on living tissue, particularly the skin, eyes, nose or respiratory system  Sensitizers - a material which causes an allergic reaction of the skin or respiratory system

CAUSTIC BURN

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS A material safety data sheet (MSDS) gives information and detail on chemical and physical dangers, safety procedures, emergency response procedures, and the safe handling of a substance. There are several formats for MSDS, but they all must contain the same basic information.

MSDS INFORMATION  Product information  Composition  Hazard identification  First aid measures  Fire fighting measure  Spill procedure  Handling and storage  Exposures control, PPE  Physical and chemical properties  Stability and reactivity  Toxicological information  Ecological information  Disposal consideration  Transportation information  Regulatory information

Safe Handling Means Read the Label The original label from the supplier or manufacturer must remain attached to the container. The label provides: Name of the chemical as it appears on MSDS Manufacturer name and address Physical and health warnings

CONTAINER LABEL Hazard Warnings Manufacturer Chemical Name

HABITS AND PRACTICES  Food, beverages, and tobacco products should not be consumed in the laboratory  Wash hands thoroughly before leaving the lab  Laboratory equipment should not be used for food preparation  Be cautious of any sharp object

ALWAYS USE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)  Eye protection – safety glasses, goggles  Hand protection – resistant gloves, insulated gloves  Foot protection – no sandals in the lab  Body protection – smock, lab coat, full protective suit. No shorts in the lab.