CHEMICAL HAZARDS

Use of Chemicals In Healthcare

Disinfectants
 Alcohol, chlorhexidine, povidone, phenol, sodium
hypochloride (Chlorox), hydrogen peroxide
 Preservatives – Formalin
Laboratory procedures
 Acids, alkalis, bleach
 Solvents, reagents, dyes, markers, contrast media
Anaesthetic gases
Pharmaceuticals (raw ingredients and finished
products)
Anti-neoplastic agents
Use of Chemicals In Healthcare
(cont...)

Maintenance chemicals (equipment,

buildings and vehicles)
Paint, varnish
Floor and facility cleaners
Laundry detergents and chemicals
Fogging chemicals
 Routes of Exposure

Inhalation
 vapor, gas, fume, aerosol, respirable particulate, droplet
 Open containers, bottles, spills, spraying, mixing
 Lack of general & local exhaust ventilation eg. fume hood

 Dermal (skin absorption)

 Especially lipophilic (fat soluble)
chemicals
 Eg. Solvents
 Spillage on clothing, lack of gloves

 Ingestion (GIT)
 Usually accidental contamination of food
& drink
 Unwashed hands
 Hazardous Properties of
Chemicals (General)
Health Hazards  Safety Hazards
 Very toxic  Volatile
 Toxic  Flammable
 Harmful  Explosive
 Irritant
 Mutagen
 Carcinogen
 Reproductive hazards,
teratogenicity
 Eg. ↓fertility, sperm count &
motility, adverse effects on
pregnancy, IUGR,
developmental and
neurobehavioral effects,
Potential Health Effects
 Depends on chemical(s) & susceptibility of person
 Consider hypersensitive individuals, pregnant & lactating
mothers
 Sudden high dose exposure vs. long term low dose exposure
 Acute vs. chronic (long term effects)
 Acute : eg. skin & eye irritation & inflammation, chemical
burns; irritation of mucous membranes & airway, airway
hypersensitivity, shortness of breath, loss of consciousness,
CNS depression, death
 Chronic : potential impairment of pulmonary, liver, renal,
neurological, GIT, musculoskeletal, reproductive systems
 Combination (synergistic effects) of multiple exposures ; +
smoking
Material/ Chemical Safety Data
Sheet
• Standardization of MSDC/CSDS section

1. Chemical product & Company 9. Physical and chemical properties

Identification 10. Stability and Reactivity
2. Composition/information on 11. Toxicological information
ingredients
12. Ecological information*
3. Hazard(s) identification
13. Disposal considerations
4. First-aid measures
14. Transport information
5. Fire-fighting measures
15. Regulatory information
6. Accidental release measures
16. Other information*
7. Handling and storage
8. Exposure controls/personal protection
Control Measures

Hierarchy
1. Elimination
2. Substitution
3. Isolation / Enclosure
4. Engineering Controls
5. Administrative / Safe Work Practices
6. Personal Protective Equipment
7. Emergency & First Aid Measures
8. Antidote
 Emergency & First Aid
Measures
Recognition of poisoning symptoms
 Useful to have colleague present

Decontamination
 Emergency Eyewash
 Emergency Shower
 Removal of contaminated clothing
 Responder to wear PPE to avoid 2° contamination
First Aid Measures
 ? To induce vomiting (corrosive ?)

Emergency Medical Treatment

 Lavage, activated charcoal
 Atropine, Pralidoxime
 Oxygen support

Emergency Spill Kit & Response Plan

 What to do, who to call, person in charge, follow up of exposed
personnel
 Emergency Shower And Eyewash
11
 PPE – Hand gloves
12
13
14
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