Chemistry Handling

Chemical

Any element, compound, or mixture of elements and/or compounds.

Pyrophoric Substances

Ignite spontaneously in air at or below 54 °C, posing significant safety risks.

Hazardous Chemicals

Can cause adverse health effects, including poisoning and allergic reactions.

Non-Hazardous Chemicals

Those that do not fit the definition of hazardous substances.

Peroxide Formers

A class of highly unstable chemicals that are among the most dangerous in laboratories.

Chemical Safety

Best practices for handling chemicals to minimize risks to individuals, facilities, and communities.

Understanding Hazardous Chemicals

Chemicals can lead to health issues such as skin rashes, cancer, and respiratory problems.

Ignitability

Refers to substances that are flammable.

Corrosivity

Refers to substances that can rust or decompose.

Reactivity

Refers to substances that can be explosive.

Toxicity

Degree to which a toxic chemical can cause damage, influenced by dosage, duration, and exposure.

Hazardous Substance

A material that poses a physical or health hazard.

Examples of Hazardous Chemicals

Includes paints, drugs, cleaning agents like ethanol and carbon tetrachloride.

Health Hazards

Result from exposure to chemicals, causing acute or chronic effects.

Acute Hazards

Cause immediate harm (e.g., carbon monoxide poisoning).

Chronic Hazards

Develop over time (e.g., lung cancer from smoking).

Xylene

An organic compound primarily used as a solvent in various applications.

Xylene Properties

Colorless, flammable liquid with a sweet odor, derived from petroleum and coal tar.

Health Risks of Xylene Exposure

Includes headaches, dizziness, and respiratory issues.

Nephrotoxic

Toxic chemicals that damage the kidneys (e.g., Cisplatin, Aminoglycosides).

Hepatotoxin

Toxic chemicals that damage the liver (e.g., ethanol, halothane, carbon tetrachloride).

Teratogen

Toxic chemicals that cause malformation of an embryo (e.g., Alcohol).

Non-Hazardous Waste Examples

Uncontaminated gloves, empty plastic containers, pipettes.

Water

The most powerful polar solvent, widely used in laboratories.

Routes of Exposure

Ingestion, inhalation, injection, and skin contact determine chemical exposure risk.

GHS Classification

Includes Health:Health Hazard, Irritant, Corrosive, Toxic; Physical:Explosive, Flammable, Oxidizers, Gases, Corrosive; Environmental Hazard:Environmental Toxic.

Class #1

Explosives:Materials that can explode under certain conditions.

Class #2

Gases:Includes flammable, non-flammable, and toxic gases.

Class #3

Flammable and Combustible Liquids:Liquids that can easily catch fire.

Class #4

Flammable Solids:Includes solids that can ignite through friction or spontaneous combustion.

Class #5

Oxidizing Substances:Substances that can cause or enhance the combustion of other materials.

Class #6

Toxic Substances:Includes materials that can cause significant health issues.

Class #7

Radioactive Materials:Substances that emit radiation and pose health risks.

Class #8

Corrosives:Substances that can cause damage to living tissue or materials.

Acute Toxicity

Injurious or lethal effects upon contact with body cells due to chemical properties.

Irritant

A chemical causing reversible inflammatory effects on living tissue.

Skin Irritant

Produces reversible damage to the skin after contact.

Eye Irritant

Causes reversible changes in the eye within 21 days of exposure.

Sensitization

A substance that induces an allergic response following skin contact.

Corrosive

Causes destructive burns on tissue by chemical action.

Labeling

Includes supplier identification, precautionary statements, hazard symbols, and signal words (Danger or Warning).

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Documents providing useful information on chemical hazards, safe handling, and emergency measures.

Control Measures for Chemical Hazards

Includes elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE.

General Rules for Handling Chemicals

Do not return chemicals to their original packaging. Keep containers closed.

Handling Hazardous Materials at Home

Read ingredient lists, use proper PPE, and follow safe procedures.

11 Rules for Safe Handling of Hazardous Materials

Includes following procedures, using required PPE, proper labeling, reading labels, and knowing emergency procedures.

Mishandled Chemical Incidents

Notable examples include the 1984 Bhopal disaster and mercury exposure incidents in schools.