Chemical Safety and Health Hazards Review

Flashcards covering chemical safety and health hazards, including carbon monoxide poisoning, hazardous chemical categories, pathways of exposure, and workplace self-protection concepts.

Chemical Hazards

Harm caused to human health due to the chemical properties of substances coming into contact with the human body, or accidental fires and explosions caused by improper chemical management or careless use.

Carbon Monoxide

A colorless, tasteless, odorless, and non-irritating gas released as a result of incomplete combustion.

Carbon Monoxide Hemoglobin Affinity

The affinity of carbon monoxide for hemoglobin, which is more than $200\text{ times}$ that of oxygen, causing hypoxic reactions in body tissues due to lack of available oxygen.

Immediate Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, palpitations, eye impairment, limb weakness, drowsiness, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, coma, convulsions, and death.

Delayed Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Delayed brain disease, mental retardation, urinary and fecal incontinence, unsteady gait, and behavioral deterioration.

Common Sources of Carbon Monoxide

Fires, incomplete combustion of heating or warming systems, exhaust gas from cars or engines, and occupational exposure.

n-Hexane Polyneuropathy Symptoms

A condition caused by n-hexane exposure resulting in weak hands and feet, weight loss, difficulty climbing stairs, numbness in the limbs progressing from bottom to top, and muscle atrophy.

Strong Acids (Hazardous Chemicals)

Highly corrosive acids such as hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and sulfuric acid, which require the use of acid and alkali resistant gloves.

Strong Alkalis (Hazardous Chemicals)

Highly corrosive substances such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, which require special gloves to prevent skin contact.

Strong Oxidizing Agents

Chemicals including potassium chlorate, potassium dichromate, and potassium permanganate, which must not be mixed with other substances during storage.

Irritant Chemical Substances

Substances such as formaldehyde and ammonia that irritate the respiratory tract; formaldehyde also causes skin peeling upon contact and is considered a carcinogen.

Non-Flammable Toxic Organic Solvents

Solvents such as carbon tetrachloride and chloroform that possess anesthetic properties and cause toxicity to the nerves, liver, and kidneys.

Flammable Organic Solvents

Substances including n-hexane, carbon disulfide, acetone, methanol, butanone, propanol, ethylene glycol, cyclohexane, and toluene that pose fire risks and can enter the body through intact skin.

Mercury Thermometer Decontamination

The removal method for broken mercury—a highly toxic substance that sublimates at room temperature—by maintaining ventilation and using sulfur powder to combine it into mercury sulfide.

Respiratory Route of Chemical Exposure

The most important pathway for harmful substances to enter the human body, particularly for low-boiling-point solvents that easily volatilize into the air.

Ingestion Route of Chemical Exposure

Entry of chemicals through the mouth into the digestive tract, primarily caused by poor hygiene habits (such as eating without washing hands) or improper container labeling.

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

A document used to understand the ingredients and potential hazards of raw materials, by-products, and products in the workplace for self-protection.