CHEMICAL HAZARD AND HEALTH EFFECTS
By Faudzil Harun
By Faudzil Harun
Chemicals are widely used in many workplace. Exposure to hazardous chemicals can cause immediate unconsciousness and even death. It can also caused severe health effect. It is essential to understand the damages these chemicals can cause and how to prevent chemically induced illness.
Chemical Hazards
Common Forms of Chemicals Found at Work Place
Dust, Smoke, Gases, Fumes, Vapors, Solvents, Spirits, Thinners, Acid & Bases, Lubricants, Fuels, Pigments, Paints, Inks, Printing Toners, Waxes, Lacquers, Varnishes, Shellacs, Adhesives, Additives, Detergents, Resigns, Hardeners, Driers, Pesticides, Insecticides, Metal (waste) etc.
Chemicals Commonly Found at Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SME)
Industry
|
Chemical
|
Aluminium Frame
|
Acrylic Sealant
|
Car Body Filler Mfg
|
Zinc Phosphate, Isobutyl Acetate, Xylene, Toluene,
Propyl Alcohol, Butyl Alcohol, Calcite, Talc, Barytes, Nitrocellulose Chips, Bentone. |
Cotton Rolls
|
Cotton Dust, Polycotton Dust.
|
Dry Cleaning
|
Perchloroethylene, Bleaching Agents.
|
Foundry and
Electroplating |
Propane Gas, Diesel, Gasoline, Carbon Monoxide,
Carbon Dioxide, Silics Dust, Metal Fumes, Calcium Carbonate Dust, Caustic Soda, Trisodium Sulphate, Sodium Cyanide, Sulphuric Acid, Lacquer, Thinner. |
Furniture Carpentry
|
Contact Cement (Colicol), Polyvil, Gasoline, Lacquer,
Varnish, Epoxy Resins, Solvent. |
Furniture Upholstery
|
Neoprene Adhesive, Synthetic Adhesive, Glue,
Textile Dust, Sponge Dust. |
Gold Electroplating
|
Gold Dust, Trisodium Phosphate, Caustic Soda,
Sodium Cyanide, Sulphuric Acid, Hydrochloric Acid, Nitric Acid, Potassium Cyanide, Gasoline, Fine Wood Dust. |
Hot-Dip Galvanizing
|
Hydrochloric Acid, Ammonium Chloride, Zinc, Zinc
Chloride, Lead, Sodium Hydroxide, Diesel. |
Ink Production
|
Ink Pigment Powder, Organic Solvent, Resin,
Anti-forming Agents. |
Laboratories
|
Ketones, Alchohol, Ehter, Formalin, Chlorinated
Solvent. |
Metal Cleaning
|
Trichloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane,
Perchloroethylene, Methylene Chloride. |
Metal Works
|
Methane Gas, Metal Fumes, Paint, Lacquer, Solvent,
Diesel. |
Paint Mfg
|
Lead, White Spirit, Xylene, Toluene.
|
Pharmaceutical
|
Acetone, Ethanol, Methylene Chloride.
|
Plastic Bags
|
Colored Inks, Solvent (Isopropanol, Methyl Acetate).
|
Printing
|
Alcohol, Ethers, Glycols, Ketone, n-hexane.
|
Shoe Making
|
Leather Dust, Rubber Dust, Coloring Materials,
Hexane, Rubber Adhesive, White Spirit, Toluene. |
Textile Dyeing
|
Acids, Alkalis, Bleaching Agents, Solvent, Dye,
Pigment. |
Health Hazard
1. Toxic (Very Toxic & Toxic)
Extremely serious, acute or chronic health risk
Non corrosive but through repeated or
prolonged contact can cause inflammation.
4. Harmful
Limited health risk.
Special Precaution
5. Carcinogens
Substances or products which are directly involved in the promotion of
cancer or in the increase of its propagation if inhaled, swallowed or
absorbed through the skin.
6. Mutagens
Substances or products which changes the genetic material, usually DNA
of an organism and thus increases the frequency of mutations above the
natural background level if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through the
skin. As many mutations cause cancer, mutagens are therefore also likely
to be carcinogens.
7. Teratogens
Substances or products which adverse effects on sexual function and
fertility and cause the development of abnormal cell masses during fetal
growth, resulting in physical defects in the fetus if inhaled, swallowed or
absorbed through the skin.
Catogeries of Health Effect
1. Local Effect
Health effect immediately after the first contactwith the substance.
2. Systemic Effect
Health effect after certain amount of chemical absorbed into the body.
3. Immediate Effect
Toxic effect that developes upon exposureto the substance.
4. Reversible Effects
Health Effect that will reduce and ceased after exposure expires.
Common Health Effects
Caused by Exposure to Chemicals
Respiratory System
Circulatory System
Digestive System
Urinary Tract System
Nervous System and Sense Organ
Blood
Eye
Skin
4. Harmful
Limited health risk.
Special Precaution
5. Carcinogens
Substances or products which are directly involved in the promotion of
cancer or in the increase of its propagation if inhaled, swallowed or
absorbed through the skin.
6. Mutagens
Substances or products which changes the genetic material, usually DNA
of an organism and thus increases the frequency of mutations above the
natural background level if inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through the
skin. As many mutations cause cancer, mutagens are therefore also likely
to be carcinogens.
7. Teratogens
Substances or products which adverse effects on sexual function and
fertility and cause the development of abnormal cell masses during fetal
growth, resulting in physical defects in the fetus if inhaled, swallowed or
absorbed through the skin.
Catogeries of Health Effect
1. Local Effect
Health effect immediately after the first contactwith the substance.
2. Systemic Effect
Health effect after certain amount of chemical absorbed into the body.
3. Immediate Effect
Toxic effect that developes upon exposureto the substance.
4. Reversible Effects
Health Effect that will reduce and ceased after exposure expires.
Common Health Effects
Caused by Exposure to Chemicals
Respiratory System
Health Effect
|
Substance
|
Asphyxiation
|
Carbon Dioxide, Ethane, Helium, Hydrogen, Methane, Nitrogen, Carbon
Monoxide, Hydrogen Cyanide, Hydrogen Sulfide, Nitric Oxide, Nitrogen Dioxide,
Nitrous Oxide, Sulfur Dioxide.
|
Cardiac Arrhythmia
|
Benzene, Trichloroethylene, Dyes, VCM.
|
Respiratory Irritation
|
Chlorine, Ammonia, Phosgene, Oxide of Nitrogen, Sulfur.
|
Occupational Asthma
|
Organic products of animals, Microbes or Vegetables.
|
Pneumoconiosis :
● Asbestosis
● Bagassosis
● Byssinosis
● Fibrosis
● Siderosis
● Silicosis
● Shaver’s Disease
● Stannosis
● Talcosis
|
- Asbestos
- Dust of bagase (fibrous material from sugar cane
after the juice has been extracted).
- Cotton dust
- Mineral dust
- Iron dust
- Silica, Silicate
- Fumes from electric furnace in the production of
corundum (alumina and silica).
- Tin dust or fumes
- Talc
|
Circulatory System
Health Effect
|
Substance
|
Hypertension
|
Carbon Tetrachloride, Cadmium Cobalt, Glyceryl Trinitrate
|
Digestive System
Health Effect
|
Substance
|
Peptic Ulcer
|
Arsenic, Acids and substance containing pepsin.
|
Liver Damage
|
Fungal toxin (arsenic).
|
Urinary Tract System
Health Effect
|
Substance
|
Bladder Cancer
|
Aromatic compound (i.e. synthetic dyes). Naphthylamine, 4-amino
diphenyl benzidine and Cadmium.
|
Kidney Damage
|
Carbon Tetrachloride, Cadmium
|
Nervous System and Sense Organ
Health Effect
|
Substance
|
Decompression sickness (Narcotic effect)
|
Nitrogen (in the brain).
|
Damage of Central Nervous System
|
Carbon Monoxide, Lead, Mercury, Benzene, Solvents.
|
Other possible effects to Central Nervous System :
● Headache, Dizziness,
Giddiness, Nausea, Weakness, Abnormal Tiredness, Mood Changes, Forgetfulness, etc. |
Solvents
|
Blood
Health Effect
|
Substance
|
Leukemia, Aplastic Anaemia,
Agranulocytosis.
|
Benzene and Ionizing Radiation.
|
Blood Disorder
|
Lead
|
Eye
Health Effect
|
Substance
|
Blindness and Eye Damage
|
Acids, Alkalis and Solvents
|
Skin
Health Effect
|
Substance
|
Skin Cancer and Dermatitis
|
Acids, Alkalis, Oils, Metallic Salt.
|
Common Health Complaints
Reported by Workers in SME
Industry
|
Health Complaint By Worker
|
Auto Repair (denting and painting)
|
Headache, Skin Problems, Addiction to Solvents.
|
Carpet Washing and Wool Dyeing
|
Skin Burns and Scalds
|
Dental Workshop
|
Addiction to Solvents
|
Fibreglass Manufacturing, Surgical Instruments Manufacturing,
Pesticide Packing
|
Respiratory and Skin Problems
|
Furniture, Screen Printing, Tannery
|
Headache and Skin Problems.
|
Laundry
|
Headache, Respiratory and Skin Problems
|
Paint Manufacturing
|
Headache, Respiratory and Skin Problems
|
Positive and Plate Making (printing press)
|
Eye Problems
|
Rubber Adhesive Solution Making, Polyurethane Foam Manufacturing,
Chipboard Manufacturing
|
Respiratory Problems
|