CHEMICAL HAZARDS:

ASBESTOS, MINERAL DUST,

LEAD, ORGANIC SOLVENTS
AND PESTICIDES

1
Objective
 State at least 3 specific characteristics
of asbestos, mineral dust and lead
 Explain the routes of entry for asbestos,
mineral dust, lead and organic solvents
 Elaborate the harmful effects asbestos,
mineral dust, lead and organic solvents

2
Objective
 Identify the legislations related to
asbestos, mineral dust, lead and
organic solvents
 Explain the control measures for
asbestos, mineral dust, lead and
organic solvents
 Explain health surveillance
requirements for asbestos, mineral
dust, lead and organic solvents
3
Objective
 State the definition of pesticides
 Explain how pesticides can enter the
body
 Explain the classes of pesticides
 Explain at least 3 control measures for
pesticides

4
Scope
Asbestos, mineral dust, lead and
organic solvents
 Specific characteristics
 Modes of exposure
 Related legislations
 Occupations at risk
 Health effects
 Control measures
 Health survellance
5
Scope
Pesticides
 Introduction
 Exposure
 Routes of entry into the human body
 Classes of pesticides
 Symptoms of poisoning
 Control measures

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ASBESTOS

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Specific Characteristics
 Asbestos – is a generic name for magnesium
silica that is formulated through the natural
process

 2 groups: serpentine (Chrysotile) and amphibole

(Amosite and Crocidolite)

 Heat resistant

 Has high pressure and flexibility

 A good insulator 8
 Types of Asbestos

Chrysotile
Amosite

Crocidolite
Methods of exposure
 Inhalation

- fibre: type, size, dose

- duration of exposure
- biological reaction of the
respiratory system

 Ingestion - minor

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Related Legislations
 Factories and Machinery (Asbestos
Process) Regulations 1986
 Permissible Exposure Limit, exposure monitoring,
control of exposure and control measures
 Occupational Safety and Health (Use and
Standards of Exposure of Chemicals
Hazardous to Health) 2000
 Permissible Exposure Limit, risk assessment, health
surveillance and control measures
11
Uses of Asbestos

 Construction materials
 Friction material (car brakes)
 Conductors
 Water pipes

12
 Inside a Building
Roofing
Heating
Water tank
system
Pipe and gutter
Chimney
Garage roof
Fire resistant
Wall panels paint

Car brakes
Clutch Plates
Occupations at Risk

 Factory workers for products using

asbestos

 Workers that are exposed to the use of

asbestos materials – shipbuilding, oil
rigs etc.

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 Health Effects
Lungs
 Asbestosis
 Lung cancer
 Mesotelioma (Cancer of the lung lining)
 Pneumonia

Other systems
 Cancer - colon, kidney

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 Asbestos : Health Effects
Lung cancer
Pleural
mesothelioma Pleural plaque

Rounded atelectasis
Asbestosis
Pleurisy

Peritoneal
mesothelioma
Mesothelioma in testis
 Control Measures
 Elimination
- prohibition of crociodolite

 Minimise exposure
- Work processes and practices
- Engineering controls
- Personal protective equipment

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Health surveillance
 Exposure Monitoring

 Medical assessments (by OHD)

- History (medical, occupational, smoking)
- Clinical examination
- Chest X-ray
- Lung function test

 Medical Removal Protection

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 Health
Surveillance
1. Clinical examination

2. Chest X-ray 3. Lung function test

MINERAL DUST

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 Specific Characteristics

 Mineral dust
 silica, kaolin, quartz etc

 Silica (silicon dioxide)

1. Free form: quartz, cristobalite, tridymite
2. Mixture (silicate): asbestos, kaolin

21
Methods of Exposure
 Inhalation
 Risk depends on:
- type of mineral dust
- size of mineral dust
- exposure duration
- intensity of mineral dust in the breathing
zone

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Mineral Dust Exposure
Occupations at Risk
 Mining
 Quarry
 Works involving rocks containing silica
 Boiling works (sand preparation and
sand blasting)

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Related Legislations
 Factories and Machinery (Mineral Dust)
Regulations 1989
 Permissible Exposure Limit, exposure monitoring
, health surveillance, control measures
 Occupational Safety and Health (Use and
Standards of Exposure of Chemicals
Hazardous to Health) Regulations 2000
 Permissible Exposure Limit, risk assessment,
health surveillance, control measures
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Health Effects
1. Pneumoconiosis
- Fibrosis of the lung due to inhalation of mineral
dust

2. Lung cancer

3. Lung failure

4. Risk of Whooping Cough

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 Pneumoconiosis and Cause Agent
Agent Specific Name
Crystalline silica Silicosis
Coal dust Coal miners pneumoconiosis
Mineral talc Talcosis
Ferum oxide Siderosis
Tin oxide Stannosis

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 Control Measures
Elimination / Substitution
 Engineering controls: water spraying, local
exhaust ventilation (LEV)

Work Procedures
 Cleanliness, hygiene, changing room,
cupboard, warning signages
 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
 Respirator, clothing
 Correct type, suitable, good maintenance, hygiene

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Health Surveillance
 Exposure Monitoring

 Health Surveillance (by Occupational Health

Doctor)
1. History (medical, occupational, smoking)
2. Clinical examination
3. Chest X-ray
4. Lung function testing
5. Whooping cough test

 Medical Removal Protection

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 Health
Surveillance

1. Clinical examination

2. Chest X-ray
3. Test for Whooping Cough
4. Lung function test
LEAD

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Specific Characteristic
Two types

1. Non-organic lead – used as metallic

compound, alloy and chemical mixtures

2. Organic lead – used as additives for internal

combustion

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Methods of Exposure
 Inhalation
 Particlesize, particle dose
 Duration and frequency of exposure

 Ingestion
 Lack of personal hygiene and work
procedures
 Smoking while working

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Related Legislations
 Factories and Machinery (Lead) Regulations
1984
 Permissible Exposure Limit, exposure monitoring,
health surveillance, control measures

 Occupational Safety and Health (Use and

Standards of Exposure of Chemicals
Hazardous to Health) Regulations 2000
 Permissible Exposure Limit, risk assessment,
health surveillance, control measures

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Occupations at Risk
 Car battery
 Plastic PVC (Pb - stabiliser)
 Paint and printing (Pb - pigment)
 Glass making
 Lead (cable and pipes lining)

# Exposure at home: Working attire

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Health Surveillance

 Anemia
 System reproduction - impotence,
miscarriage
 Kidney failure
 High blood
 Nervous system – behavioural
change, neuropathy
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Control Measures
 Elimination / Substitution
 Engineering Controls
 Water spraying: vacuum
 Administrative Controls
 Information, instruction and training
 Changing room facilities, cleaning/laundry and
personal hygiene
 Isolated eating places, drinks and smoking

 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

 Respirator, clothing
 Type, suitability, good maintenance and hygiene

37
Health Surveillance
 Exposure Monitoring

 Health surveillance (by Occupational Health

Doctor)
1. History (occupational, medical)
2. Clinical assessment: anemia, hypertension,
nervous system
3. Hemoglobin, kidney function
4. Blood lead test

 Medical Removal
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ORGANIC
SOLVENT

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Specific Characteristics
 Organic solvents are chemicals in liquid
form and is capable of dissolving non-
soluble organic compounds

 Organic solvents are fat-soluble, easily

absorbed and may explode at room
temperature.

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Method of Exposure
 Exposure usually happens through skin
contact and inhalation.

 It enters the body via skin absorption

and fume inhalation.

41
Related Legislations
 Occupational Safety and Health (Use and
Standards of Exposure of Chemicals
Hazardous to Health) Regulations 2000

 Permissible
Exposure Limit, risk
assessment, health surveillance, control
measures

42
 Occupations at Risk
 Organic solvents are widely used in
industries.
 Used in paint, ink, cleaning oil from
machines and cleaning of glue on
furniture.
 It is also widely used in the printing
process

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Health Effects

 Inflammation of eyes, nose, throat

and lungs.
 Dermatitis.
 Narcosis effect on the brain
(headaches, sleepy, fatigue and
unconsciousness)
 Some organic solvents are toxic to
bone marrow, liver, kidney and
nervous system.
 Benzene can cause blood cancer
such as leukemia.
44
Control measures
 Elimination / Substitution
 Engineering Controls
 Water spraying: vacuum
 Administrative Controls
 Information, instruction and training
 Changing room facilities, cleaning/ dobby and
personal hygiene
 Isolated eating places, drinks and smoking

 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

 Respirator, clothing
 Type, suitability, good maintenance and hygiene

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Health Surveillance
 Health surveillance is conducted based
on the type of organic solvent
exposure.

 Each organic solvent gives different

harmful effects. Details on these effects
may be obtained from the Chemical
Safety data Sheet (CSDS).

46
Health Surveillance
Among the tests that may be conducted are:

 Organic solvent survey

 Tests on specific organs that are the target of
the toxic material such as blood test for liver and
kidney problems
 Test on the nervous system such as nerve
conduction velocity and neurobehavioural test.
 Urine or blood test to detect organic solvent
exposure

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PESTICIDES

48
Introduction

 Pesticides is any solution or mixture

used to prevent, kill, or eliminate
pests.

49
Exposure
 Farmers
 Factory workers
 Health workers and researchers
 Public

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Routes of Entry into the
Human Body
Through:

1. Ingestion

2. Inhalation

3. Skin Absorption
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 Pesticides Classification

1. Classification by usage
 Poison for pests
 Poison for plants
 Poison for rodents

2. Classification by toxicity
 Numbers and letters
 By colour
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Classification by Toxicity
(numbers and letters)

 Class 1a – Very highly toxic and

dangerous
 Class 1b – High level of toxicity
 Class 2 – Medium level of toxicity
 Class 3 – Low level of toxicity
 Class 4 – Very low level of toxicity

53
Classification by Toxicity
(colour)

 Class 1a – Black
 Class 1b – Red
 Class 2 – Yellow
 Class 3 – Blue
 Class 4 – White

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Symptoms of Poisoning
Short term effects

 General symptoms
 Skin and nails
 Eyes
 Mouth, stomach and colon
 Respiratory system
 Central nervous system
 Others

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Symptoms of Poisoning
Long term effects

 Allergies to skin and nails

 Cancer
 Impotency

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Control Measures

 Before using pesticides

 While using pesticides

 After using pesticides

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Before Using Pesticides

 Suitable PPE
 Read and follow instructions on label
 Mix the pesticide as recommended
 Use a sprayer suitable to the pesticide
being used
 PPE and spraying equipment in good
condition
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While Using Pesticides

 Refrain from smoking, eating and

drinking
 Do not spray against the wind
 Ensure to passers-by
 Refrain from blowing the sprayer if there
is a blockage

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 After Using Pesticides

 Equipment, clothing and PPE used should be

properly cleaned and stored in good condition
 Shower using ample water and soap immediately
after use
 Record the usage in the specified log book
 Equipments used must be stored or disposed in
the proper places
 Know the first aid measures and procedures

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