chemical, water & waste ch. 23 Flashcards
primary methods of chemical exposure inhalation;
gases, vapors, dust, chemicals cause direct damage to the lungs
primary method of chemical exposure skin:
some chemicals are absorbed through the skin
primary method of chemical exposure ingestion (swallowing)
eating in areas which chemicals are used or eating with hands that are contaminated with chemicals
results from high levels of exposure over a short period of time. Caused by a chemical spill in which exposure is sudden
acute chemical toxicity
results from many repeated exposures, generally to lower levels, over a longer time- months or even years
chronic chemical toxicity
general waste
non-hazardous, non-regulated waste.
eg. paper towels, empty food containers
contaminated waste
waste that has been in contact with blood or other body fluids. Eg. patient napkins
handling contaminated waste
place items such as gloves and patient napkins in a lined trash receptacle.
should be covered with a fitted lid.
should not be overfilled
t/f; never fill an empty container with another substance because a dangerous chemical reaction could occur
true
personal chemical protection: Hand protection
when using chemical disinfectants, wear a utility type glove made from rubber
personal chemical protection :eye protection
protect the eye from fumes and splashes,
personal chemical protection: protective clothing
wear rubber or neoprene apron when mixing or pouring chemicals
personal chemical protection: inhalation protection
facemasks should be fluid-repellent
why did OSHA issue the hazard communication standard
employees have the right to know the identity and hazards of chemicals that they use
hazard communication standard is also known as
employee right to know the law
a hazardous chemical is defined as
any chemical that has been shown to cause physical or health hazard
the chemical is considered hazardous if it
can ignite, react or explode, corrosive, toxic
legislated system to provide info on the dangers & safe handling of materials used in the workplace
WHMIS provides
SDS contains
health and safety info about every chemical in the office
basic safe policy to store dental medications
a dry, cool, dark place where they are not exposed to direct sunlight
three types of infectious waste all labeled with biohazard label
blood and blood-soaked material, pathologic waste(extracted teeth), sharps
handling of extracted teeth
dispose of as general office waste, unless returned to the patient
t/f’ do not dispose of extracted teeth containing amalgam with general waste, because the mercury vaporization
true
classified as hazardous waste
biomedical waste
managing sharps
needles, blades, ortho wires, broken glass must be placed in a sharp container
mercury spill kits
should be available in dental offices. exposure to mercury is very hazardous
t/f; outbreaks of waterborne diseases have occurred in a broad range of facilities
true
t/f; water from air-water syringes and dental handpieces frequently has bacteria levels that are hundreds or thousands of times GREATER than in drinking water
true
what are dental workers exposed higher than the general public
legionella
two communities of bacteria in dental waterlines
planktonic (free floating) in the water itself
biofilm- attached to the walls of the waterlines
biofilm
slim producing bacterial communities that may also harbour fungi, algae and protoza
backflow
it is possible that saliva may be retracted back into the waterlines during treatment
how else can backflow occur
when the pt closes their lips around tip-of saliva ejectors
what should water quality be at
less than 500CFU/ML of heterotrophic water bacteria
these systems supply air pressure to a water bottle (reservoir)
self-contained reservoirs
t/f; dental unit water should be used as an irritant for surgery involving exposure to bone
false, SHOULD NOT. use sterile water
chemicals can be used to control biofilm in 2 ways
periodic or “shock”- treatment with biocidal levels, which kill organisms of chemicals
At the level to kill microorganisms but not harm humans
microfiltration cartridge
disposable, dramatically reduce the bacterial contamination in DUWL.
Inserted as close to the handpiece or air-water syringe.
should be replaced at least daily
flushing water lines
All dental water lines and handpieces should be flushed at the start of the day and between patients, and at the end of the day.
CDA guidelines of DUWL maintenance
avoid heating water for the dental unit
purge all water lines at beginning of the day
run high speed handpieces for minimum 20-30 secs
waste that is capable of causing an infectious disease is
infectious waste
infectious waste that requires special handling, neutralization and disposal
regulated waste
waste that is capable of having a poisonous affect is
toxic waste
3 primary methods of chemical exposure
inhalation, ingestion, skin contact
what are the OSHA requirements regarding an eye wash unit
eyewash unit in areas where chemicals are used
how long must training records be kept
5 years
minimum number of separable cells on the surface cells on the surface of a semisolid agar medium that create a visible colony
colony-forming units
made of small-bore plastic tubing and are used to deliver dental treatment water through dental unit
dental unit waterlines
container that is used to hold and supply water or other solutions to handpieces and air-water syringes attached to a dental unit
self-contained water reservoir
where is biofilm found
handpiece waterlines, air-water syringe waterlines
materials that may emit toxic fumes or explode when brought into contact w/ other materials are
reactive
t/f; Neoprene is a fluid repellent type material suitable for any kind of potential chemical splashes
true
