Lecture 04

Identification, classification and assessment of hazards

Hazards due to toxic chemicals

Hazards due to toxic chemicals

Because of the quantity and variety of chemicals used by the chemical process
industries, chemical engineers must be known about:

 The way toxicants enter biological organisms,

 The effects of toxicants on biological organisms, and

 The way toxicants are eliminated from biological organisms,

 Methods to prevent or reduce the entry of toxicants into biological

organisms.
Toxicology
 The science that deals with the toxic properties of substances.

 The science that deals with the harmful effects of chemicals on living systems

 Is the quantitative or qualitative study of body’s response to toxic substances

Cont…
Toxicity

 The degree to which a substance can harm humans or animals

 Physiological property of matter that defines the capacity of a chemical to

injure a living organism by other than mechanical means.
Cont…
To identify and categorize hazards of chemicals some knowledge is needed of
 Physical and chemical properties
 Their routs of entry
 Their distribution on metabolism
 Their effects on body systems
Cont…
Toxic chemicals are generally categorized as organic and inorganic chemicals.

 Inorganics
 Halogens: F, Br & I respiratory track irritants

 Alkaline materials: NH3, Ca(OH)2 , KOH corrosive local action such

irritating to all mucous membrane

 Trace metals: Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mn, Hg, Ni, and Ar cause cancer,
environmentally persistent.
Cont…
 Organic compounds

 Aliphatic hydrocarbons: Methane, ethane, propane, butane, octane.

 Olefins : ethylene, propylene , isoprene
 Aromatic hydrocarbons: benzene and its derivatives carcinogenic effects

Entry routs : how toxicants enter to biological organisms

o Ingestion(swallowing): via mouth into stomach

 This can happen when chemicals have spilled or settled onto food,
beverages, cigarettes, or hands.
Cont…
oInhalation(breathing): via mouth or nose into lungs
 Breathing in chemical gases, mists, or dusts that are in the air.
oInjection: via cuts into skin

oDermal absorption: via skin membrane

Inhalation and dermal routes are most significant to industrial facilities

Symptoms of Exposure

May include Irritation, Burning Sensation, Coughing, Shortness of Breath,

Headache and Vomiting.
Cont…
Toxic effect

 Acute (short- term exposure): Effects show up immediately

o Involves harmful effects in an organism through a single or short-term

exposure.

oHarmful if Swallowed, Inhaled or Absorbed through Skin.

oExposure may be extremely destructive to Eyes, Skin, Respiratory Tract and

Mucous Membrane.

oExposure may also cause, Nausea, Headache and Vomiting .

Cont…
 Subchronic: the ability of a toxic substance to cause effects for more than
one year but less than the life time of the exposed organism.

 Chronic (long-term): Effects may take years to show up.

oThe ability of a substance or mixture of substance to cause harmful effects

over an extended period, usually, upon repeated or continuous exposure,
sometimes is lasting for the entire life of the exposed organism.
Cont…
oProlonged exposure can cause:
 Lung irritation, Chest pains, Pulmonary Edema.
 Damage to Blood, Kidneys, Liver, Lungs and Mucous Membranes or
irreversible Tissue damage.
 Effect on Central Nervous System.
 Risk of irreversible effects.
 What Symptoms May be Caused by Chemicals at Work?
Cont…
SYMPTOMS COMMON CAUSES
Head Dizziness, headache Solvents, paint, ozone, smoke (including tobacco)

Eyes Red, watery, irritated, grainy feeling Smoke, gases, various dusts, vapors from paint and
cleaners
Nose and Sneezing, coughing, sore throat Smoke, ozone, solvents, various dusts, vapors and
Throat fumes from paint and cleaners
Chest and Wheezing, coughing, shortness of Metal fumes, various dusts, smoke, solvents, vapors
Lungs breath, lung cancer from paint and cleaners
Stomach Nausea, vomiting, stomachache, Some metal fumes, solvents, paint vapors, long-term
diarrhea lead exposure

Skin Redness, dryness, rash, itching, skin Solvents, chromium, nickel, detergents and cleaners,
cancer paint on skin
Nervous Nervousness, irritability, Long-term solvent exposure, long-term lead exposure
System sleeplessness, tremors, loss of
balance or coordination
Cont…
Steps Necessary For Safe Working

oWear appropriate Protective Clothing, Safety Goggles, Chemical Resistant

Gloves.

oAvoid contact with Skin, Eyes or Clothing.

oKeep containers tightly closed.

oWash thoroughly after handling chemicals.

oIn case of any mishap seek medical advice as appropriate.

Cont…
Specific Chemical Hazards

oAcetone and Flammable Solvents

 It is a very flammable solvent with a low flash point.

 A spill of a gallon bottle of acetone could cause a catastrophic fire or

explosion.

 It should not be transported except in chemical buckets.

 Solvents should also be handled with care in the hoods not used near hot
plates
Cont…
oHydrofluoric Acid(HF)
 HF presents a significant hazard for personal injury.

 It is only allowed in two designated wet benches, one in staff clean room and
other in the chemistry lab.

 HF is a very hazardous chemical, much more so than any other acids we

use. Its danger comes from its colorless, odorless appearance and its
systemic poisoning.
Cont…
 HF "burn" is initially painless.

 You may not even know that you have gotten a splatter on your hands, arms,
face, or in your gloves. The acid however will silently eat away at your flesh.

 The fluoride ion is not consumed in this process and is soluble in tissue, so the
damage penetrates deeper and deeper, until it comes to the bone.
Cont…

 At this time the excruciating pain begins. It is too late, however, to reverse
the considerable tissue damage. At some point, it enters your blood stream
and goes everywhere scavenging Ca ions, totally messing up the ionic
chemistry of your nervous system. At some point, if left untreated, you die.

HF burn (courtesy of UC Berkeley)

Cont…
 Simple washing of HF splash is not sufficient to prevent damage. It does not
wash off; it is already dissolving you and will continue to do so until you
receive medical attention specific to HF burns (including deep injections to
neutralize the penetrated acid).
Cont…
oChlorinated Solvents

 Chlorinated solvents (chlorobenzene, trichloroethylene, and methylene

chloride) are used in various resist processes. They are particularly bad for
you, causing cancer, organ damage, etc.

 They should not be mixed with normal solvents in waste bottles. There are
separate waste bottles for chlorinated solvents. As with most solvents, they
can be readily absorbed through the skin.
Cont…
oGlycol Ethers
One family of chemicals, the glycol ethers, commonly used in photoresists,
masquerades under a variety of names. Most photoresists contain one or more of
these as solvents.
 Ethylene glycol mono methyl ether
 2-methoxyethanol
 2-ethoxyethanol (2EE)
 Ethylene glycol mono ethyl ether
 2-Ethyoxy ethyl acetate
Cont…
oIn studies with laboratory animals, 2-ethoyxethyl acetate caused birth defects,
increased foetal death, delayed foetal development, caused blood effects,
testicular damage and male infertility.

oThe liquid and vapour are eye and respiratory tract irritants and may cause
kidney damage, narcosis, and paralysis (in simple terms, it damages your
kidneys, eyes, lungs and brains).
Cont…
First Aid Measures

 In case of contact rinse affected area immediately with plenty of water while
removing contaminated clothing etc.

 If inhaled move to fresh air, if there is difficulty in breathing give artificial

respiration or oxygen.

 If swallowed wash out mouth with plenty of water provided the person is
conscious.

 Seek medical advice as appropriate.

Cont…
The different steps of risk assessment procedure are as given below

Step 1: Hazard Identification

oIts purpose is to identify and develop a list of hazards for each job in the
organization that are reasonably likely to expose people to injury, illness or
disease if not effectively controlled.

oWorkers can then be informed of these hazards and controls put in place to
protect workers prior to them being exposed to the actual hazard.
Cont…
Step 2: Risk Assessment
oRisk assessment is the process used to determine the likelihood that people
exposed to injury, illness or disease in the workplace arising from any
situation identified during the hazard identification process prior to
consideration or implementation of control measures.

oRisk assessment methods are used to decide on priorities and to set objectives
for eliminating hazards and reducing risks. If risks cannot be eliminated, they
are minimized by the use of physical controls or, as a last resort, through
systems of work and personal protective equipment.
Cont…
Step 3: Risk Control

oRisk control is the process used to identify, develop, implement and

continually review all practicable measures for eliminating or reducing the
likelihood of an injury, illness or diseases in the workplace.

Step 4: Implementation of risk controls

oAll hazards that have been assessed should be dealt in order of priority in one
or more of the following hierarchy of controls.
Cont…
The most effective methods of control are:

1. Elimination of hazards

2. Substitute something safer

3. Use engineering/design controls

4. Use administrative controls such as safe work procedures

5. Protect the workers i.e. By ensuring competence through supervision and

training, etc.
Cont…
Step 5: Monitor and Review

oHazard identification, risk assessment and control are an on-going process.

oMake sure that you undertake a hazard and risk assessment when there is
change to the workplace including when work systems, tools, machinery or
equipment changes.

o Provide additional supervision when the new employees with reduced skill
levels or knowledge are introduced to the workplace.
the end !