Hazardous Chemicals Overview

Hazardous Chemicals Overview

Definition of a Hazardous Chemical

A hazardous chemical is precisely defined as any chemical substance capable of causing a physical hazard or a health hazard. This broad definition ensures that a wide array of substances with potential dangers are classified and managed appropriately.

Criteria for Classifying a Chemical as Hazardous

For a chemical to be officially designated as hazardous, it must meet one or more of the following four criteria:

1. Ignitable (Flammable): The chemical possesses the ability to ignite or catch on fire under specific conditions. This refers to substances that can readily burn, posing a significant fire risk.

2. Reactive or Explosive: The chemical is capable of undergoing a rapid, often violent, chemical reaction or exploding. This includes substances that are unstable, can react with water, or can detonate, releasing a large amount of energy suddenly.

3. Corrosive: The chemical has the ability to cause visible destruction or irreversible alterations in living tissue by chemical action at the site of contact. This typically involves acids, bases, or other substances that can eat away at materials or tissue.

4. Toxic: The chemical is capable of causing adverse health effects when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. Toxicity can manifest in various forms, from acute (immediate) to chronic (long-term) health problems, depending on the dose and duration of exposure.

Chemical Exposure Methods

Exposure to chemicals is a critical aspect of understanding chemical hazards. The three primary methods of chemical exposure are inhalation, skin contact and ingestion

INHALATION:- gases or vapor or dust of chemicals can cause direct damage to the lungs. Some chemicals may not affect the lungs but to absorbed by them are then sent to the blood stream to other organs like the liver and the brain and kidneys.

Skin: is an effective barrier against chemicals, but some are absorbed thought the skin, Usually after repeated contact with chemicals your skin absorbs it it develops a condition call dermatitis,

Swallowing is another way which chemicals can enter the body, eating where chemical are store or testing with contaminated hands.

Acute and chronic chemical toxicity-

The damage depends on the actual amount of dose, it may be acute or chronic ways to check are by the Safety data sheet 9 SDS or checking the info on the potential dangers

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ACUTE CHEMICAL TOXICITY

higher levels of exposure, over a short amount of time, often cause by a chemical spill, the effect is felt immediately , Dizziness, nausea and vomiting

CHRONIC CHEMICAL TOXICITY

Repeated exposure, involving repeated exposure from lower levels over a much period of time, symptoms include liver disease, brain disorders, cancer and infertility.

Hand Protection

1. use utility gloves when approaching chemicals. (natual rubber, neoprene, industrial -grade nitrile). These gloves are essential because the gloves use in during patient care does not give the same protection, these material creates sucking that would contaminate through the gloves to your hands.

Eye protection

chemical accidents are serious and can result in even blindness, ideal goggles fit the face snugly.

Protective clothing:

Wear fluid resistant lab coat, disposable gown that protects the skin, the SDS for each product provides specific info regarding the need for additional personal protective equipment.

Inhalation Protection:

Depending on the type of mask, may or may not provide adequate protection when working with chemicals, the proper face mask for chemicals should be fluid repellent and should have respiratory protection from particles.

Controls of chemical spills:

Mercury spills are dagerous because it can be absorb through the skin and or inhaled as a vapor, Mercury spill kit, with a sponge , powder, and disposable bags

masks and utility gloves must be worn during clean up.

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Eye wash Units:

Osha makes the requirement for eyewash station in every workplace;

there is types of sinks like one connected directly to the faucet for emergencies, when turn on the water will irrigate the eyes, with a soft wide flow of water, should be in maintenance every month, Also employees have to be train on how to use eye wash station, this is to avoid rubbing your eyes. Some recommended every 3 weeks flushing to reduce the potential microbacteria, always follow manufacture instructions for your specific eye wash station.

Ventilation-

Dental offices are equipped with special ventilation for fumes and asses in the laboratory, steralizarion areas; Example- desifencting areas can cause dermatitis or irritation of the eyes, nose throat or in the respiratory system.

General precautions when storing chemicals:

The compositions of materials can change and change their effectiveness, keep them in dry, cool, dark places. where they ae not expose to physical or chemical substances.

STEPS FOR PUT AWAY CHEMICALS:

1. FOLLOW MANUFACTURES INSTRUCTORS

2. AVOID EXPOSURE TO LIGHT: this is because light can deteriorated sodium hypochlorite epinephrine and hydrogen peroxide are an example of this, this is why the majority of chemicals are suggested to be storage in the dark.

3. CHECK EXPIRATION DATE

4. ROTATE INVENTORY: fresh supply are always storage in the back and the older ones in the front.

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Dental Office Waste Management:

All waste is classified by EPA

TYPES

CHARACTERISTICS OF HAZAREOUZ WASTE: