Element 7: Chemical and Biological Agents

7.1 Forms of, Classification of and Health Risks from Hazardous Substances

Forms of Chemical Agents

• Solid.

• Dust.

• Fumes.

• Gas.

• Mist.

• Vapour.

• Liquid.

• Fibres.

The physical form greatly affects the hazard presented and the route of entry into the body.

Forms of Biological Agents

• Fungi:

‒ e.g. farmer’s lung.

• Bacteria:

‒ e.g. Legionnaires’ disease, leptospirosis.

• Viruses:

‒ e.g. HIV, hepatitis B.

Acute and Chronic Health Effects

Acute:

• Short-term effect.

• High levels of exposure.

• Short exposure time.

• Quick effect, e.g. exposure to high concentration of chlorine gas.

Classification of Chemicals Hazardous to Health

• Toxic

− Highly poisonous. Small quantities can kill people

• Harmful

− Large quantities can kill people

• Corrosive
 − Destroys living skin tissue or causes inflammation.

• Irritatant

− Causes skin / Eye inflammation.

• Respiratory or Skin Sensitisors

− Causes asthma or allergic dermatitis.

Classification of Chemicals Hazardous to Health

• Mutagen

− Causes hereditary genetic mutation.

• Carcinogen

− Causes cancer.

• Reproductive Toxicity

− Causes sterility or is harmful to unborn child.

• Specific Target Organ Toxicity

− Causes damage to specific body organs.

• Aspiration Hazard

− Harmful if inhaled into the lungs.

7.2: Assessment of Health Risks

Group Exercise

How can a chemical or biological organism enter the body?

Which is the highest risk route of entry

and why?

Routes of Entry

• Inhalation:

• Inhalable dust (all particles).

• Respirable dust (only smaller particles).

• Ingestion.

• Absorption through the skin.

• Injection through the skin:

• Needle-stick.

• Cuts and grazes.

• Bites.
Assessment of Health Risks

1. Identify the hazardous substances present and the people who might potentially be
exposed.

2. Gather information about the substance.

3. Evaluate the health risk.

4. Identify any controls needed and implement them.

5. Record the assessment and action taken.

6. Review.

Product Labels

Set requirements:

• Name of substance/mixture.

• Hazardous components.

• Risk phrases indicating danger.

• Precautions.

• Details of supplier.

Group Exercise

Safety Data Sheets

Outline the type of information you would need to know about a domestic weed killer in order to
assess the risks.

Safety Data Sheets

1. Identification of substance and supplier.

2. Hazard identification.

3. Composition of ingredients.

4. First-aid measures.

5. Fire-fighting measures.

6. Accidental release measures.

7. Handling and storage.

8. Exposure controls/PPE.

9. Physical/chemical properties.

10. Stability and reactivity.

11. Toxicological information.

12. Ecological information.

 13. Disposal considerations.

14. Transport information.

15. Regulatory information.

16. Other information.

End of Section 7.2 Exercise

1. What are the four main routes of entry chemicals can take into the body?

2. How is the respiratory system defended?

3. What information would you find on a safety data sheet?

7.3: Occupational Exposure Limits

Occupational Exposure Limits

Definition of OEL:

“The maximum concentration of an airborne substance, averaged over a reference period, to

which employees may be exposed by inhalation”

7.4: Control Measures

The Need to Prevent or Control Exposure

• Prevention of exposure is the best.

• If not possible to prevent exposure, adequately control it.

• Ensure OELs are not exceeded.

Principles of Good Practice

• Minimise emission, release and spread of hazardous substances.

• Consider routes of exposure.

• Use control measures proportionate to the risk.

• Choose effective and reliable control measures.

• Use PPE where control cannot be achieved by other means.

• Check control measures regularly.

• Inform and train employees.

• Ensure new control measures do not increase overall risk.

In the EU and UK, these eight principles are a legal requirement. In the UK they are set out in
Schedule 2A of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002.

Group Exercise

A gardener is spraying a weed killer in a domestic garden in windy conditions.

The gardener has no means of washing his hands, etc., and the house owners have children and a
dog.

The weed killer is an organophosphate labelled ‘toxic’.

Using the ‘hierarchy of control’, discuss how the risk may be reduced.

Answers

• Eliminate process, e.g. do not treat the lawn or pave the area.

• Substitute hazardous for non-hazardous, e.g. toxic to non-hazardous weed killer or use
granules.

• Process change:

• Don’t spray in windy conditions, rearrange appointment.

• Use watering can instead of spray.

• Keep children and animals inside.

• Provide portable boiler and washing facilities on the van.

• PPE - face visor, gauntlets, long sleeves.

• Information about the risks.

• Communication means.

Elimination or Substitution and Process Change

• Elimination or substitution:

‒ Eliminate process, e.g. outsource painting.

‒ Change work.

‒ Dispose of unwanted stock.

‒ Substitute hazardous for non-hazardous, e.g. irritant to non-hazardous floor cleaner,

or corrosive to irritant.

‒ Change physical form of substance to one that’s less harmful.

• Process change:

‒ Apply solvent by brush instead of spraying.

‒ Vacuum rather than sweep.

Enclosure and Segregation

Enclosure:

• Totally enclose the substance.

• Prevent access to it.

Local Exhaust Ventilation

Dilution Ventilation

• Diluting the contaminant.

• Changes the air.

• Passive dilution – vents.

• Active dilution – powered fans.

• Important to know whether contaminant is lighter or heavier than air.

Dilution Ventilation

Respiratory Protective Equipment

Two types:

• Respirators:

‒ Filter contaminated air from the atmosphere around the wearer.

• Breathing Apparatus (BA):

‒ Provide breathable air from a separate source.

Respirators

Respirators

Respirators

Respirators

Breathing Apparatus

Breathing Apparatus

Other Personal Protective Equipment

• Hand protection:

‒ Gloves, gauntlets.

‒ Chemicals, biological agents, physical injury.

• Eye protection:

‒ Spectacles, goggles, visors.

• Body protection:

‒ Overalls, aprons, whole-body protection.

Personal Hygiene and Protection Regimes

• Hand-washing routines.

• Careful removal and disposal of PPE to prevent cross-contamination to normal

clothes.
 • Prohibition of eating, drinking and smoking in work areas.

• Washing facilities.

• Changing facilities.

• Rest and food preparation areas.

7.5: Specific Agents

Group Exercise

How was asbestos used in industry and buildings?

Asbestos

Use:

• Asbestos cement roofs.

• Ceiling tiles.

• Fire break walls.

• Floor tiles.

• Downpipes.

• Pipe lagging.

Health Risks Associated with Asbestos

Diseases:

• Asbestosis.

• Lung cancer.

• Mesothelioma.

• Diffuse pleural thickening.

Work with Asbestos - Controls

In general:

• Work must be notified to the enforcement agency

• Work area sealed

• PPE and RPE

• Negative-pressure ventilation system with efficient filters

• Asbestos waste

– securely double bagged, labelled, disposed as hazardous waste

• Dust levels monitored inside and outside sealed work area

• Worker exposure must not exceed control limit

 • Health surveillance provided

Managing Asbestos in Buildings

• Occupiers/owners must be aware of presence of asbestos

• Need an asbestos management plan

• Maintain asbestos register – identify locations

• Record of regular inspections

• Monitoring condition

Carbon Monoxide

Colourless, odourless gas:

• By-product of partial combustion, e.g. poorly maintained boilers.

• Inhalation hazard.

• Prevents red blood cells transporting oxygen.

• Chemical asphyxiation:

‒ Low levels (0.005%) – worsening headache.

‒ High levels (1.3%) – rapid unconsciousness and death.

Carbon Monoxide

Typical controls:

• Competent engineers for gas systems.

• Maintenance and testing of boilers and flues.

• Good ventilation.

• LEV for workshop vehicle exhausts.

• Siting of equipment containing combustion engines.

• CO alarms.

• Confined space entry controls.

Cement

Used to make mortar and concrete.

Harmful effects:

• Irritation of the:

‒ Eyes.

‒ Respiratory tract.

‒ Skin.
 • Corrosive burns to skin on repeated/prolonged contact.

• Allergic dermatitis.

Cement

Silica

• Component of rock (quartz).

• Found in quarries, pottery and construction industry.

• Inhalation hazard (respirable crystalline silica).

• Causes scar tissue to form in lungs (silicosis).

Typical controls:

• Alternative work methods.

• Dust suppression by water.

• LEV.

• RPE.

• Health surveillance.

Wood Dust

• Inhalation hazard – causes irritation.

• May cause asthma.

• Some hardwoods can cause cancer.

Typical controls:

• LEV.

• Vacuuming rather than sweeping.

• RPE.

• Health surveillance.