CHEMICAL SAFETY - Chemical Hazard and Health Effects

CHEMICAL HAZARD AND HEALTH EFFECTS

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 

     and even death.

2.  Corrosive

     Destroy living tissues on contact with them.

3.  Irritant

     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

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