1. Chemicals

2. Forms 4 Chemical health hazards may be divided into the following categories: –Toxic, including carcinogenic; –Corrosive & irritant; –Dermatitic/sensitising

3. Forms 4 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)

4. CHIP 4 Classify substance (Approved supply list) 4 Assign categories of danger & risk phrases 4 Provide safety data sheet 4 Label 4 Safe packaging 4 Child-resistant closures 4 Tactile danger warnings 4 Mention hazards in advertisements

5. Health Effects of Hazardous Substances 4 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

6. Safety Data Sheets 4 Composition and/or ingredients 4 Hazards 4 First aid 4 Fire fighting 4 Accidental release 4 Handling & storage 4 Exposure controls 4 Personal protection 4 Physical & chemical properties 4 Stability & reactivity 4 Toxicological info 4 Ecological info 4 Disposal 4 Transport 4 Regulatory & other info

7. Lead 4 Most dangerous as a fume or dust 4 Target organs: –Central nervous system –Gastrointestinal tract –Blood & blood-forming organs –Muscles of wrist or foot –Gums 4 Symptoms affect gastrointestinal tract, nervous system and blood

8. Mercury 4 Target organs: –Central nervous system & brain –Kidneys 4 Symptoms affect central nervous system with personality changes 4 Workers at risk: –Dentistry –Thermometers, barometers, electrical switchgear

9. Benzene 4 Volatile liquid absorbed by inhalation and skin contact 4 Target organs: –Central nervous system –Blood-forming organs 4 Symptoms are narcosis, anaemia and leukaemia

10. Phenol 4 Corrosive & toxic substance absorbed by the skin 4 Systemic toxin affecting central nervous system 4 Symptoms affect central nervous system, liver and kidneys

11. Trichloroethylene 4 Harmful by inhalation, prolonged skin contact & ingestion 4 Affects central nervous system, skin and respiratory tract 4 May be an animal carcinogen

12. Siliceous Dust 4 Inhalation of dust causes fibrosis of lungs 4 Symptoms caused by reduced lung function, breathlessness, heart strain and possibly death

13. Asbestos 4 Inhalation of dust causes fibrosis of lungs 4 Symptoms caused by reduced lung function, breathlessness, heart strain & possibly death 4 Risk of lung cancer in fibrotic regions

14. Carbon Monoxide 4 Invisible gas absorbed by lungs into blood stream, combining with haemoglobin and inhibiting oxygen transport 4 Oxygen starvation causes loss of consciousness

15. Carcinogens 4 Produce malignant tumours by affecting cell functioning 4 Long latency period and no threshold of harm 4 Examples: –Tars (skin cancer) –Asbestos (lung cancer & mesothelioma) –Vinyl Chloride Monomer (angiosarcoma)

16. Corrosive Substances 4 Acids destroy living tissue and cause severe burns; examples include nitric and sulphuric acid 4 Ammonia is a corrosive alkaline gas, soluble in water, which can cause severe burns by liquid contact or inhalation

17. Dermatitic Hazards 4 Dermatitis: non-infectious inflammatory condition of the skin caused by contact with chemical, physical or biological agents 4 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)

18. Sensitisers 4 Chemical agents able to produce an allergic reaction in certain individuals 4 Production of antibodies triggers an allergic reaction each time person is subsequently exposed to very small quantities of the causative agent

19. Sensitisers 4 Respiratory System: –Results in asthma –2 principle types of agent: Antigens, such as flour, grain & shellfish protein Substances such as isocyanates and platinum salts 4 Skin: –Results in dermatitis –Skin reaction will occur whenever there is further contact with sensitising agent (common sensitising agents are isocyanates)

20. Sensitisers 4 Chemical agents able to produce an allergic reaction in certain individuals 4 Production of antibodies triggers an allergic reaction each time person is subsequently exposed to very small quantities of the causative agent