1 - Chemicals in The Workplace

Ms. Winnie A.
Aguilar, RMT
Senior Industrial Hygienist
Environment Control Division (ECD)
Department of Labor and Employment
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH CENTER
Session Objectives
At the end of the session, participants will be able to:
❑ Identify Chemicals in the Workplace

❑ Discuss the Classification of Chemicals
✓ physical and chemical properties
✓ health effects
✓ effects to environment and
✓ nature of exposure

What is a Chemical?
“Chemical” refers to elements and
compounds and their mixtures, whether
natural or synthetic such as those obtained
through production processes.
According to the ILO Convention on Safety in the Use of Chemicals at Work, 1990 (No.
170)

General Concepts
❖Chemicals are either
naturally occurring or
man-made (synthetic).
❖They have a wide range

of possible health
effects.

General Concepts
Chemicals are found everywhere around us….
…in the food we eat

… the water we drink
… the consumer products we use
… and the air we breathe

Chemicals have improved our

Kindly give an example of chemicals
in your workplace.
Where do you use it?
Describe (form or state, color or odor)
Possible health effects?
Chemicals in the Workplace

disinfectants acids resins paints
used oils solvents
cleaning agents
batteries
fumes
wood dust
Chemicals in the Workplace

Any chemical possessing the
properties that may cause
significant discomfort or may
impair the health of humans
and living organisms or
damage materials and the
environment.
• Brought directly into the workplace and handled, stored and used for processing
(e.g. solvents, cleaning agents, glues, resins, paints).
• Generated by a process or work activity (e.g. fumes from welding/ soldering,
dust from machining of wood, flour dust, solvents).
• Generated as waste or residue. (e.g. batteries, used oils)

Health Effects can only occur if a worker
is actually exposed to the hazards
The degree of hazards or risk of injury or

disease would depend on the following:
duration the length of time you are exposed
frequency how often (one time , repeatedly)
concentration dose: how much enters your body

toxicity how much of the substance is required to cause harm
Reaction and interaction: other substances you are
exposed to at the same time
- individual susceptibility
how your body reacts to the substance compared to other people.

Chemical Hazards
Routes of Entry
❑ The methods in which chemicals enter the body are called “routes of
entry”
❑ Understanding these various routes of entry is necessary to prevent
exposure to hazardous chemicals.
❑ There are four (4) main “Routes of Entry”

Classification of Chemicals
❑ A scientific assessment of whether a chemical can cause harm –whether
it has the potential to cause cancer, explode, irritate the eyes, etc.
❑ Chemicals are classified so that people using them (industry or as

consumers) can understand any hazardous effects they could have on
human health or the environment and to protect against that harm.
❑ Classification is about identifying intrinsic hazards, not controlling risks.

It’s about getting the information needed for decisions about risk control
to be made, so that chemicals can be produced, transported, used and
disposed of safely.
❑ Classification is fundamental to safe chemical management. It is vital that
classification is based on accurate, robust and adequate data/information.
Remember! Classification must be carried out regardless of the tonnage,
volume or amount of the chemical being supplied.
Who should carry out Classification ?
Classification is the responsibility of chemical suppliers

e.g. manufacturers, importers, downstream users and
possibly distributors.

Methods of Classification
The classification of chemicals should be based on available sources
of information
(a) test data;
(b) information provided by the manufacturer or importer, including
information on research work done;
c) information available as a result of international transport rules,
e.g. the United Nations Recommendations on the transport of dangerous
goods, which should be taken into account for the classification of chemicals
in the case of transport,
d) reference books or literature;
e) practical experience;
f) in the case of mixtures, either on the test of the mixture or on the known
hazards of their components;
g) information provided as a result of the risk evaluation work performed by
the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the
UNEP/ILO/WHO International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS), the
European Communities and various national and international
institutions, as well as information available through systems such as the
UNEP International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals (IRPTC).
Basics of Classification
❑ The basic classification requirement is for chemical suppliers to

determine whether the chemicals they supply are ‘hazardous’
according to an internationally-agreed set of rules (known as
‘criteria’) to identify what harm a chemical might cause.
❑ There are criteria for:

(1) Physical hazards (e.g. explosivity. corrosivity. etc);
(2) Health hazards (e.g. potential to cause cancer in humans,
to irritate the skin or eyes, etc); and
(3) Environmental hazards (e.g. harmful to the aquatic
environment, etc).

❑ The UN GHS Purple Book is a guidance document published by the
United Nations on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification
and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).
❑ Defines physical, health and environmental hazards of chemicals and
harmonizes classification criteria;

GHS Classification
GHS describes the nature and severity of a chemical hazard by hazard

class and hazard category:
GHS hazard class represents the nature of a chemical hazard, i.e.,

flammable liquids, carcinogen.
GHS hazard category is the division of criteria within each hazard

class.
For example, hazard class flammable liquids can be divided into 4
categories among which flammable liquids category 1 represents the
most severe hazard.
There are 29 GHS hazard classes in total in UN GHS Rev. 6. They are used to describe 3 main types of
chemical hazards: physical hazards, health hazards and environmental hazards.

•Explosives 29 GHS hazard classes in total
•Flammable Gases
•Aerosols in UN GHS Rev. 6.
•Oxidizing Gases
•Gases Under Pressure
•Flammable Liquids
•Flammable Solids •Acute Toxicity
•Self-Reactive (Oral/Dermal/Inhalation)
Substances •Skin Corrosion/Irritation
•Pyrophoric Liquids •Serious Eye
•Pyrophoric Solids Damage/Eye Irritation
Physical Hazards(17
•Self-Heating •Respiratory or Skin
classes)
Substances Sensitization
•Substances which, in Health Hazards(10 •Germ Cell Mutagenicity
contact with water emit classes) •Carcinogenicity
flammable gases •Reproductive Toxicology
•Oxidizing Liquids
•Target Organ Systemic
•Oxidizing Solids
Toxicity - Single Exposure
•Organic Peroxides
•Corrosive to Metals
•Target Organ Systemic
•Desensitized Toxicity - Repeated
explosives[Added in Exposure
GHS Rev. 6] •Aspiration Toxicity
•Hazardous to Aquatic
Environment
Environmental Hazards(2
(Acute/Chronic)
classes)
•Hazardous to the Ozone
Layer
❑ The picture below is an example of GHS classification criteria for
flammable liquids.
❑ A liquid with a flash point between 23 and 60 Celsius degrees will be
classified as flammable liquid category 3.
❑ A liquid with a flash point above 93 Celsius degrees does not meet GHS
classification criteria and will not be regarded as a hazardous chemical.

Chemicals can be classified based on:
❖ Physical & Chemical Properties

❖ Health Effects
❖ Effects to Environment
❖ Nature of Exposure

Based on Physical and Chemical Properties
1. Flammables/Combustibles
2. Corrosives
3. Oxidizers
4. Compressed Gases
5. Cryogens
6. Pyrophorics (Air Reactives)
7. Water Reactives
8. Explosives/Potentially Explosives
9. Peroxide Forming Chemicals

substances that can catch fire and burn
Flammables & Combustibles Can be in the form of solid, liquid or gas
Flammable Liquids •Flash point below 37.8o C (100o F)

Temp. at which the substance releases a vapor capable of ignition
care must be taken to keep any
possible ignition sources away • Examples: alcohols , esters, ethers, ketones
from flammable vapors
gasoline, lighter fluid, paint, thinner
Flammable Solids •Have an ignition temperature below 100o C.
care must be observe in the storage, point at which the substance will spontaneously ignite without an ignition source
since it will spontaneously ignite •Ex: naphthalene (HT), metals – Al, Cd, Cr, Ti,
Zn (P) moth balls (HT), calcium carbide (WR)
without ignition source when stored
at 100oC and higher
Flammable Gases Examples: hydrogen, methane, acetylene
Combustible • Have a flash point of 37.8oC to 100oC.

Liquids Examples: acetic acid (CA), phenol (CA, T),
propionic acid (CA), diesel fuel, engine oil
HT – Highly Toxic WR- Water Reactive CA- Corrosive Acid P- Pyrophorics

A low flashpoint, such as 10 degrees C,
means the chemical vapors are not likely to
ignite at room temperature. True or False
False. A low flashpoint means the chemical

is very flammable and the vapors are
more likely to ignite.

Corrosives
➢ Strong acids & bases that can corrode metals and destroy
human tissue
➢ Examples:
Acids Bases
acetic acid (C) ammonium hydroxide (T)
citric acid (C) potassium hydroxide (T,WR)
formic acid (C, T) sodium hydroxide (T,WR)
muriatic acid (HCl) drain declogger (NaOH)
wall cleaner (Na3HPO4)
T –Toxic WR- Water Reactive C- Corrosive P- Pyrophorics

chemicals which decompose readily under certain conditions to yield oxygen.
Oxidizers They can cause a fire to burn violently.
Oxidisers must not be stored with flammables.
HT – Highly Toxic T- Toxic WR- Water Reactive CA- Corrosive Acid

Compressed Gases
➢ All compressed gases have large amount of energy stored in the
cylinder from the compression of gas
➢ Dropping or knocking over a cylinder can cause the energy to
release and may even propel like a rocket
Examples: acetylene (F)
chlorine (T,O)
compressed air
methane (F)
C – Corrosive
oxygen
I - Inert
In the event of a leak,
Inert gases can quickly displace air in a large area creating an oxygen-deficient atmosphere,
toxic gases can create poison atmospheres, and flammable or reactive gases can result in fire and exploding cylinders.
Cryogens •• liquefied gases that are kept in their liquid state at very low temperatures.
storing large quantities of food, freezing blood and tissue samples, and even
cooling superconductors.
➢ Materials that are extremely cold (-100 °C to -270 °C)

➢ Upon contact, living tissue can freeze & become brittle enough to shatter
➢ Have common properties & hazardous characteristics w/ compressed
gases
➢ Examples: liquid hydrogen (F)
liquid helium coldest material known
liquid fluorine (CA, HT, O, WR)
liquid methane (F)
liquid oxygen
HT – Highly Toxic WR- Water Reactive CA- Corrosive Acid F- Flammable

Pyrophorics (Air reactives)

➢ Substances which ignite in contact with air within 5
minutes spontaneously in air at a temperature of 54oC
(130oF) or below
➢ Used mainly in semi-conductor industry
Examples:
Solids Liquids Gases
sodium (WR) aluminum borohydride diborane (HT,WR)
metals (CB,WR) phosphine (HT,WR)
(Al, Cr, Zn) diethyl zinc (WR) silane (WR)
HT – Highly Toxic WR- Water Reactive CB- Corrosive Base

Water reactives chemicals that react vigorously with moisture.
➢ Substances often react violently with water and may

ignite or generate toxic, flammable, or corrosive
gases The alkali metals such as sodium, potassium and lithium react with water to
produce heat and flammable hydrogen gas, which can ignite or combine
Examples: explosively with atmospheric oxygen.
Solids Liquids
calcium carbide (F) acetyl chloride (CA, F)
magnesium (F) chlorosulfonic acid (CA, HT)
sodium (P) stannic chloride (CA)
phosphorous pentachloride thionyl chloride (CA)
(CA, HT)

Explosives Heat, light, mechanical shock and certain catalysts can initiate explosive reactions.
➢ A reactive is a compound that is capable of catching fire or

exploding if subjected to certain conditions such as flame, shock
or friction
Examples: Ammunitions, TNT, Dynamite, Fire works
➢ Pure chemicals or mixtures may become explosive through

contamination
Examples: Perchloric acid w/ organic compounds or metals
➢ Pure chemicals or mixtures that may degrade over time

Examples: Hydrated picric acid upon drying
Perchlorates at elevated temperature
Peroxide Forming Chemicals

Powerful explosives
Sensitive to oxygen, heat, friction, impact, light and
strong oxidizing & reducing agents.
Examples:
ethers
aldehydes
vinyl & vinylidene compounds


❖ Health Effects

Based on the pH, which chemical is
likely the most corrosive?
A. Chemical A (pH = 2)
B. Chemical B (pH = 9)
C. Chemical C (pH = 7)
Answer: A
degree to which a chemical substance or a
particular mixture of substances can damage
an organism.
Toxic Highly Toxic

can cause injury or death can cause serious injury or death
at low concentrations
LD50 of >50 and <500 mg/kg body
weight LD50 of < 50
LC50 in air of >200 and <1000 ppm LC50 in air of <200 ppm
Examples: Examples:
Solids acrylamide, cadmium chloride Solids arsenic salts, Calcium cyanide,
(CA), potassium fluoride (CA), diazinon Organic mercury cmpnds
Liquids aniline (C), chlordane, phenol (C, Liquids acrolein, hydrocyanic acid (CA,
CA), copper sulfate F), nicotine (C)
Gases ammonia, hydrogen fluoride(CA), Gases diborane (P,WR), fluorine
vinyl bromide (CA,O,WR), nitrogen dioxide (O)
Extremely toxic Taste (1 grain)
Highly toxic 1 tsp (4 cc)
Moderately toxic 1 oz (30 cc)
Slightly toxic 1 pint (250 gm)
Practically nontoxic 1 quart
Relatively harmless >1 quart
Based on typical measure of toxicity,
average LD50 or LC50, which chemical is
most toxic ?
A. Chemical A (5280 ppm LC50)

B. Chemical B (1.5 ppm LC50)
C. Chemical C (126 ppm LC50)
Answer: B
Based on Health Effects
Toxic Chemicals
All chemicals are poisonous to some degree, but a small
dose of a toxin can cause serious health effects.
Hepatotoxins carbon tetracholoride, ethanol
Nephrotoxins halogenated hydrocarbons /chloroform

Neurotoxins mercury, disulfide
Reproductive toxins formamide, lead
Toxic or highly toxic agents strychnine, aniline

!
Non-corrosive substances, which can cause inflammation
through immediate, prolonged or repeated contact with the
skin or mucous membrane.
Irritants may manifest in the form of inflammation of the
skin, eye irritation or irritation to the respiratory system
Examples:
excessive washing of hands with soap and water, household cleaners, fragrances, facial
creams

➢ Results to inherited genetic damage to offspring
➢ 80 to 85% of carcinogenic chemicals may have effects on future
generation
Examples:
-Acridine orange
-Diazo dyes


❖ Health Effects

Based on Effects to Environment
(a) Hazardous to aquatic environment

shows a tree
In deciding whether a substance should be classified, a search for appropriate with no leaves
databases and other sources of data should be made for the following data and a dead
elements fish to
represent
❖ Toxic to living organism harm to the

environment.
Acute Aquatic Toxicity / Chronic Aquatic Toxicity
❖ Persistent in the environment

Lack of degradation or how long it will remain in the environment
❖ Bioaccumulation built up of a product in an organism

Environment Hazards
Persistent Organic Pollutants
(POPs)
known as "forever chemicals" are organic compounds that are resistant
to environmental degradation through chemical, biological, and
photolytic processes. Because of their persistence, POPs POPS
bioaccumulate with potential adverse impacts on human health and the
environment.
…. Chemical substances that persist in

the environment, bioaccumulate through the food
web, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to
human health and the environment.
…. They are produced and released into the environment
by human activity.
Dirty Dozen POPs

Intentionally produced chemicals currently or once used in agriculture, disease control, manufacturing,
or industrial processes. Examples include PCBs, which have been useful in a variety of industrial
applications (e.g., in electrical transformers and large capacitors, as hydraulic and heat exchange fluids,
and as additives to paints and lubricants) and DDT, which is still used to control mosquitoes that carry
malaria in some parts of the world.
Unintentionally produced chemicals, such as dioxins, that result from some industrial processes and
from combustion (for example, municipal and medical waste incineration and backyard burning of
trash).

❖ Health Effects

Based on Nature of Exposure

Chemicals become hazardous when they get
airborne in excessive concentration
Nature of Exposure
❖ Acids, Bases, etc. ❖ Mists
❖ Organic Solvents ❖ Vapors

❖ Dust / Fibers ❖ Particulates
❖ Heavy Metals ❖ Fumes
❖ Gases ❖ Gas
Mists
• dispersion of liquid particles in air
• Suspended liquid droplets when
vapor condenses back to liquid
• Associated with acids, chlorine,
formaldehyde, phenols, etc. & https://nwhouston.mosquitojoe.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/77/2017/04/unspecified.jpg
processes like electroplating,

spraying and misting with a
chemical sprayer
• Common acids are hydrochloric,
sulfuric, nitric and phosphoric
acids.

Vapors
•Gases formed when liquid evaporates
•Associated with solvents, adhesives,
alcohols, varnishes, paints &
lacquers, degreasers, gasoline, dry
cleaning agent, etc.
•The common organic solvents can be https://www.thoughtco.com/clausiusclapeyron-equation-example-problem-609468
classified as hydrocarbons (toluene),

ketones (methyl ethyl ketone), esters
(ethyl acetate), ether (ethyl ether),
alcohols (ethyl alcohol)
https://pngio.com/images/png-a399277.html

Dusts / Particulates
❖ Suspension of solid particles in air
❖ Generated by processes like
grinding, drilling & crushing operations
❖ Classified according to size
Total dust – all dust particles in the area
Inhalable dust – dust that can be filtered by our body's natural filtering
mechanism
Respirable dust – too small that it can be deposited into the lungs

Fumes
• Volatilized solid that condenses
when they contact air
• very small, solid particles created
when hot vapor reacts with air to
form an oxide https://interestingengineering.com/types-of-welding-their-applications-advantages-and-disadvantages
• Associated with molten metals &

processes like welding, soldering,
metalizing and coating
• Examples: Lead, Iron, Chromium,
Tin and Zinc Fumes
https://www.protoexpress.com/blog/how-to-achieve-perfect-pcb-soldering/

Gases
• Substances in the gaseous state at room
temperature and pressure.
•Have no warning odor at a dangerous
concentration.
o By-product of incomplete combustion
(carbon monoxide)
o Wastewater treatment plant (hydrogen
sulfide & chlorine gas)
o Refrigeration & fertilizer plants (ammonia)
o Machinery using diesel engine (nitrogen
dioxide)

Less Hazardous More Hazardous

______________________
Solids Granules/ Dusts/ Smoke/ Vapors/

Liquids Mists Fumes
Gases
Smaller particles are extremely hazardous as they are easily inhaled and absorbed.
It is thus important to know what form or forms a given substance takes in the workplace.
“We cannot do away with chemicals”
❖Chemicals have improved the quality of life but
its misuse can endanger our lives – can cause
harm to humans and environment.
❖Understanding the nature of chemicals, the risks

of exposure and hazards will help prevent
accidents and illnesses.
❖ We classify Chemicals based on its Physical
and Chemical Properties, Health effects,
nature of exposure and effects to the
environment
https://www.hazmatstudent.co
m/classes/occupational-
industrial-hygiene-training/
Thank you for

listening…
Environment Control Division

Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
Telefax No: (02) 8924 – 24 – 12

1 - Chemicals in The Workplace

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

1 - Chemicals in The Workplace

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

1 - Chemicals in The Workplace

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Ms. Winnie A.

At the end of the session, participants will be able to:

❑ Identify Chemicals in the Workplace

Department of Labor and Employment

Department of Labor and Employment

❖They have a wide range

Department of Labor and Employment

…in the food we eat

… and the air we breathe

Department of Labor and Employment

Chemicals in the Workplace

used oils solvents

Chemicals in the Workplace

Department of Labor and Employment

The degree of hazards or risk of injury or

frequency how often (one time , repeatedly)

concentration dose: how much enters your body

Department of Labor and Employment

Department of Labor and Employment

❑ Chemicals are classified so that people using them (industry or as

❑ Classification is about identifying intrinsic hazards, not controlling risks.

Classification is the responsibility of chemical suppliers

Department of Labor and Employment

❑ The basic classification requirement is for chemical suppliers to

❑ There are criteria for:

Department of Labor and Employment

Department of Labor and Employment

GHS describes the nature and severity of a chemical hazard by hazard

GHS hazard class represents the nature of a chemical hazard, i.e.,

GHS hazard category is the division of criteria within each hazard

Department of Labor and Employment

Department of Labor and Employment

❖ Physical & Chemical Properties

Department of Labor and Employment

Department of Labor and Employment

Flammable Liquids •Flash point below 37.8o C (100o F)

Flammable Gases Examples: hydrogen, methane, acetylene

Combustible • Have a flash point of 37.8oC to 100oC.

Department of Labor and Employment

False. A low flashpoint means the chemical

Department of Labor and Employment

T –Toxic WR- Water Reactive C- Corrosive P- Pyrophorics

Oxidisers must not be stored with flammables.

HT – Highly Toxic T- Toxic WR- Water Reactive CA- Corrosive Acid

➢ Materials that are extremely cold (-100 °C to -270 °C)

HT – Highly Toxic WR- Water Reactive CA- Corrosive Acid F- Flammable

Pyrophorics (Air reactives)

HT – Highly Toxic WR- Water Reactive CB- Corrosive Base

Department of Labor and Employment

Water reactives chemicals that react vigorously with moisture.

➢ Substances often react violently with water and may

Department of Labor and Employment

➢ A reactive is a compound that is capable of catching fire or

➢ Pure chemicals or mixtures may become explosive through

➢ Pure chemicals or mixtures that may degrade over time

Peroxide Forming Chemicals

Department of Labor and Employment

❖ Physical & Chemical Properties

Department of Labor and Employment