B2.2 Identification Classification & Health Effects of Hazardous Substances

Question 1

What are the Three basic physical states in which a chemical may be found and give an example (3)

Answer 1

• solid - solid block or materials (Lead ingot), dust (small particles such as flour) fibre (asbestos) or fume( from hot metal)
• liquid- liquid massive form (sulphuric acid) or mist fine droplets (spray paint)
• Gas - gas and vapour

Question 2

What are the differences between Inhalable and Respirable fractions of an airborne dust?

Answer 2

• Inhalable dust - is the fraction of airborne dust that enters the nose and mouth during breathing. Inhalable dust particles can be as large as 100 microns.
• Respiratory dust is the fraction of airborne dust that penetrates the gas exchange region of the lung. Particles larger than 7microns will be filtered by the body and only dust particles less than 7 microns will enter the gas region.

Question 3

There are several pieces of legislation that control the supply and use of hazardous substances in the Uk. These are (5)

Answer 3

• REACH -Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals REGS 2013
• CLP - Classification, Labelling and Packaging
• CHIP - Chemical (Hazzard, Information and packaging for supply) REGS 2013 revoked from 2015 no longer applies.
• COSHH - Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
• CLAW - Control of Lead
• CARControl Of Asbestos Regulations

Question 4

The United states have implemented a Globally harmonised system of classification and labelling of chemicals. Describe it’s aims

Answer 4

the Aims of GHS is to standardise the laws governing the classification and labelling of chemicals globally, with the principle “one chemical-one label worldwide”. This will mean substances imported from i.e Europe to US will no longer require to be reclassified and relabelled. this has been implemented in the EU through legislation CLP (classification labelling and packaging of substances)

Question 5

list the principals of CLP

Answer 5

• Classify dangerous chemicals using the criteria specified in GHS (classify physico-chemical ie. Explosive, health effect i.e toxic or environmental effect i.e toxic to aquatic.
• provide information to the end user in the form of a label using the harmonised pictograms
• package the substance safely

Question 6

Identify what piece of legislation was replaced with CLP and briefly describe requirements

Answer 6

CLP replaced CHIP (chemical, hazard,information and packaging) which required all substances and mixture to be classified according to CLP from 1st June 2015 with exemption of mixtures if already had been classified, labelled and packed under CHIP and placed on the market before 1st June 2015 would not need to be recalled and subsequently relabelled and packed.

Question 7

List the different health hazards classification used int the GHS that appear on the label of the substance/mixture

Answer 7

Acute toxicity, skin corrosion, skin irritation, serious eye damage, eye irritation, respiratory sensitisation, skin sensitisation, germ cell mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, specified target organ toxicity, aspiration hazard

Question 8

Define toxic, corrosive, irritant, sensitising, toxic to reproduction, carcinogenic and its symbols

Answer 8

Toxic - produces serious acute or chronic ill health or death at very small or small doses. symbols skull with cross bones and exclamation mark

Question 9

Define corrosive and its symbol

Answer 9

corrosive - destroys living tissue by direct chemical attack. Symbol text tubes and hands

Question 10

Define irritant and its symbol

Answer 10

irritant - causes inflammation in particular of the mucous membranes. symbol exclamation mark

Question 11

Define sensitising and its symbols

Answer 11

sensitising- can cause an allergic reaction following either single acute overexposure or repeated chronic overexposure. Symbol, health hazard for respiratory and exclamation for skin

Question 12

Define toxic to reproduction and carcinogenic and its symbols

Answer 12

carcinogenic - can induce the growth of malignant cancer tumours. it attacks the mechanism that controls reproduction of cells, it causes changes in DNA.
toxic to reproduction - can cause sterility, miscarriage or birth defects. Both have a health hazard symbol

Question 13

Define Aspiration Hazard and its symbol

Answer 13

some chemicals are harmful by aspiration which is inhalation of a liquid directly to the lungs. Some chemicals can have serious or even fatal consequences if aspired. Its symbolised with health hazard symbol.

Question 14

What are the requirements of suppliers and manufactures under CLP

Answer 14

They are required to classify, label and package chemicals according to CLP in line with Global harmonised system. The classification and labelling information is available for many substances in table .1 of part 3 of Anex VI of CLP. if the substance is not classified the supplier will required to do a self - classification

Question 15

Summarise self-classification under Classification labelling and packing of substances and mixtures(CLP)

Answer 15

They must self-classify according to CLP guidance and classification published by EU.
Use appropriate data to determine what the classification should be.
Much of classification is derived from animal testing which is highly regulated. one of the aims of CLP reduce the amount of animal testing and requires the data to be shared.

Question 16

summarised duties imposed by Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)

Answer 16

• quantities above 1 tonne per year per manufacturer must be registered with the European chemical agency (ECHA)
• for most substances provided you have pre-register there is a longer transition period for full registration which enables to continuation of manufacturing and import it
• For other substances and ones that have not pre-registered there is no transition period and required to be registered immediately otherwise it cannot continue to be manufactured or import it.
• the registration requires a dossier of information of the substance

Question 17

what is specified under article 13 of REACH or stated aim

Answer 17

eliminate unnecessary animal testing by manufacturers, human toxicology information shall be generated wherever possible by means other than animal testing

Question 18

Give example of specific Hazardous substances (6)

Answer 18

Carbon Monoxide, Isocyanates, metal working fluid, Used engine oil, silica, wood dust

Question 19

How is carbon monoxide hazardous to health

Answer 19

Is a colourless, odourless gas usual found in boilers, and engines (FLT/Cars).
Is an asphyxiate gas, when inhaled it reduces the oxygen available to the body. This occurs when CO combines with haemoglobin to form carboxy -haemoglobin a compound that prevents oxygen transport by the blood.This causes headache, drowsiness, unconsciousness , and death at relatively low concentration

Question 20

How is Isocyanates hazardous to health

Answer 20

Isocyanates is are organic solvents used in paint spraying and foam rubber manufacturer. Several different types. Isocyanates have a very low exposure limit.
It has irritant effects including inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat and bronchitis. Effects clear after removing from exposure.
Sensitisation can also occur leading to violent recurrent symptoms after contact with even low contact with isocyanates. Asthma caused by di-isocyanates are now recognised as occupational disease.

Question 21

How is metal working fluids a health hazard

Answer 21

Skin irritation or dermatitis related to exposure to cutting oils and coolants. Respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, irritation to upper respiratory track and rarely lung diseases. Under suitable conditions bacteria and fungus once in right conditions when inhaled cause irritation of the respiratory tract or flu like symptoms as well as aggravate asthma symptoms

Question 22

How is used engine oil a health hazard

Answer 22

Exposure to used oil engine is associated to motor vehicle repair. Frequent contact may cause dermititis and other skin disorders including skin cancer.
Key controls include SSOW and use of PPE, maintaining high standards of hygiene, ensure employees dispose of oil rags and do not re-use oil, barrier creams and after care creams to replace skin oils, health surveillance (such as self inspection and skin inspection).

Question 23

How is silica a health hazard

Answer 23

commonly encountered in mining quarrying, pottery and construction industries silica is hazardous by inhalation. When inhaled respirable crystalline silica is deposited in the lungs. Over time it causes scar tissue to form silicosis and can also form Chronic obstructive Pulmanary disease.. This leads to short of breathless, chest pain and weakness.

Question 24

How is wood dust a health hazard

Answer 24

wood dust in hazardous by inhalation and causes asthma. Certain types are more likely to cause asthma then others and are categorised as asthmagens. Hardwood can cause cancer usually of the nose and are categorised as carcinogens. Carpenters and joiners and those working in forestry are more likely to be at risk