The Most Common Chemical Hazards | How To Avoid Them

INTRODUCTION TO CHEMICAL HAZARDS

The chemical hazard in the lab is a very serious issue. Chemical hazards are substances that can cause harm to people by chemical reaction, inhalation, or ingestion. Chemical hazards are ubiquitous in laboratory work and present many dangers to lab workers and students alike. Chances are, if you work in a laboratory environment, you have come across many potential chemical hazards. Most of these hazardous chemicals can cause severe harm to the human body

if inhaled, ingested or even just touched. Common chemical hazards include corrosives such as acids and bases; flammable substances; oxidizers; explosives and aerosols. Knowing the potential risks associated with these chemicals and how to manage them is essential for keeping a safe laboratory environment. In this article, we will discuss some of the most common chemical hazards in a laboratory setting, as well as provide ways to reduce risk and avoid injury. We’ll start by discussing corrosives; then move

on to flammable substances, oxidizers, explosives and aerosols. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of how to protect yourself and your colleagues from potential chemical hazards in the laboratory.

WHAT CAUSES CHEMICAL HAZARDS?

Chemical hazards are due to chemical reactions. A chemical reaction is a process in which one or more substances (reactants) undergo changes that result in the production of new substances (products). This can be very dangerous and harmful for humans as well when we come into contact with these hazardous chemicals! A chemical reaction can be exothermic or endothermic. Chemical reactions which are either reactive are very dangerous and extremely harmful!

Exothermic Reaction: In this type of chemical reaction, the products do not have more heat than reactants; hence it releases energy in form of heat. This process is also called as a burning reaction.

Endothermic Reaction: Chemical reaction which absorbs energy from the surroundings is called an endothermic chemical reaction or heat absorption. When you come into contact with these hazardous chemicals, it can be life-threatening!

WHAT ARE CHEMICAL HAZARDS DEFINED AS?

Chemical hazards are substances that can cause harm to people by chemical reaction, inhalation, or ingestion. Chemical hazard is a compound that poses significant damage when it comes into contact with exposed tissue. Chemical hazard presents many dangers to lab workers and students alike in different ways! Chemical hazards may be solid, liquid or gas; they can also come as a paste or a powder. Chemical hazards can be reactive, corrosive,

flammable or explosive and are found in every industry sector including agriculture, manufacturing food processing, and pharmaceuticals.

ARE CHEMICAL HAZARDS AND POLLUTANTS THE SAME THING?

Chemical hazards and chemical pollutants are different. Chemical pollutants can be defined as a toxic or poisonous substance that is introduced into the environment by humans, whereas chemical hazard is not necessarily harmful to our surroundings but cause harm when comes in contact with exposed tissue of human beings! Chemical hazards can be radioactive compounds/materials (radiation), infectious material (biohazard), chemical, and physical hazards

(heat). Chemical hazards are substances that can cause harm to people by chemical reaction, inhalation, or ingestion. Chemical hazardous is a compound that poses significant damage when it comes into contact with exposed tissue of humans! Chemical hazard presents many dangers to lab workers and students alike in different ways! Chemical hazards may be solid, liquid or gas; they can also come as a paste or a powder. Chemical hazardous can be reactive, corrosive, and flammable! Chemical hazards are due to chemical reactions.

A chemical reaction is a process in which one or more substances (reactants) undergo changes that result in the production of new substances (products). Chemical hazards can be radioactive compounds/materials, infectious material, chemical, and physical hazards! Chemical hazards may be solid, liquid or gas; they can also come as a paste or powder. Chemical hazardous can be reactive, corrosive, and flammable! When you come into contact with these hazardous chemicals it can be life-threatening! Chemical hazards are ubiquitous in nature and are found in every industry sector including agriculture, manufacturing food processing, and pharmaceuticals. A

chemical reaction can be exothermic or endothermic. Chemical reactions which are either reactive are very dangerous and extremely harmful!! Exothermic chemical reactions release energy in form of heat. Chemical reaction which absorbs energy from the surroundings is called an endothermic chemical reaction or chemical reactions that are either reactive are very dangerous and extremely harmful!! This process is also called as a burning reaction!!!

HOW ARE CHEMICAL HAZARDS CLASSIFIED?

Chemical hazard can be classified as four types:

• Flammable Chemical is a substance that produces dangerous fire or heat.
• Explosive Chemical reacts violently by decomposing, making it extremely hazardous to humans!
• Reactive Chemical is an unstable chemical that changes its properties when activated and this reaction may result in harmful consequences for humans. Corrosive Chemical has the ability to destroy animal tissue and dissolve or disintegrate other materials.
• Hazardous Chemical is a chemical that does not have any specific properties but it can be harmful when it comes into contact with skin, eyes, or human body!

WHAT CHEMICAL HAZARDS INCLUDE

Chemical hazards are ubiquitous in laboratory work and include substances such as: What chemical hazards include:

• Explosive: Chemical which explodes on impact or by heat, friction, and is sensitive to detonation.
• Flammable: Chemical that readily gives off inflammable gases in the presence of strong oxidizing agents such as oxygen.
• Corrosive: Chemical capable of destroying tissue through chemical reaction with living tissues upon contact with skin or eyes.
• Chemical Reactions: Chemical Reaction is a process where one or more new chemical substances are formed from the interaction of two or more chemicals.
• Dust and Gases: Chemical which exists as particles in the air, flammable/combustible dust &
• gases often present major hazards because they can ignite explosively.
• Chemical Spills: Chemical spills are uncontrolled releases of chemicals that can cause exposure. There is no safe level for exposures to hazardous substances, so it’s important to prevent them whenever possible. Chemical spill cleanup steps should be followed closely and carefully or else they may lead to long-term health effects from chemical contamination in the environment!

Chemical spills can be classified as:

• Accidental Chemical Spills
• Intentional Chemical Spills
• Unintentional Chemical Spills.

HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY CHEMICAL HAZARDS?

Chemical hazards have serious implications for human health & safety and should be handled with extreme care, especially in laboratories! Chemical injuries are extremely dangerous and need to be handled with care at all times, especially in laboratories! Chemical spills on the floor or other flat surfaces when not cleaned up properly can lead to chemical burns which may require medical attention. Chemical spills in water or sewage system are extremely

extremely hazardous and should be reported immediately to the lab authorities for immediate action. Chemical Injuries can lead to health problems including respiratory diseases, skin conditions & cardiovascular disorders if not managed properly with medical intervention at an early stage of exposure! Chemical hazards have serious implications for human health & safety and should be handled with extreme care, especially in laboratories!

ARE CHEMICAL HAZARDS ALWAYS VISIBLE?

No, chemical hazards are not always visible and can be hidden in the form of dust particles that may go unnoticed until they cause a reaction. It is important to be aware of potential chemical hazards even if you don’t see them! This is why it’s so important to wear protective clothing when working with hazardous materials and take safety precautions such as using fume hoods or personal protective equipment.

HOW DO CHEMICAL HAZARDS AFFECT HUMAN HEALTH?

Chemical hazard affects human health by:

• Chemical substances can be absorbed: through the skin, eyes, or respiratory system.
• Chemical hazards can lead to chemical burns: chemical hazards and lead to burns, especially on the skin.
• Exposure to chemicals in high concentrations can affect mental abilities: such as reduced concentration and memory loss! Chemical hazards have adverse effects on other parts of the body including the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, and gastrointestinal tract!
• Chemical hazardous substances can lead to chemical toxicities: which may cause acute or chronic injuries depending upon the exposure duration & frequency of contact! Chemical toxicity occurs when humans come into direct contact with high levels of chemicals which are either known or unknown. Chemical hazards can cause injury to the skin, eyes, or respiratory system if not handled carefully!

Chemical spills in a lab environment is extremely hazardous as it may lead to chemical exposure and subsequent injuries caused by:

• Chemical Burns, Inhalation of harmful gases, Skin contact with chemicals leading to chemical burns, toxic reactions or chemical injuries!
• Chemical Spills on the floor may lead to slipping and fall accidents: Chemical spills can cause injuries such as: slipped discs; bone fractures; head injury!
• Chemical hazards have serious implications for human health & safety: It is extremely important for lab workers to understand chemical hazards & chemical injuries so they can work in a safe environment without putting themselves at risk!
• Chemical Spills on ground surfaces: There are many types of chemicals that can lead to serious chemical burns or injuries if not handled cautiously. Chemical spills on the floor or other flat surfaces when not cleaned up properly can lead to chemical burns which may require medical attention!
• Chemical spills in water or sewage system: chemical spills on the floor & other flat surfaces when not cleaned up properly can be swept into septic tanks, leading to chemical exposure for those working in lower spaces. It is important for lab workers and students to follow safety procedures and guidelines to prevent chemical injuries that may require medical attention!
• Chemical spills on skin: Skin contact with chemicals can lead to chemical burns or chemical toxicities depending upon the type of chemicals involved. It is extremely important for lab workers & students to understand how chemical hazards affect human health before working in laboratories where use of highly hazardous chemicals is a regular practice! chemical injuries are extremely dangerous and need to be handled with care at all times, especially in laboratories!
• Chemical Spills on surface water: chemical spills when not cleaned up properly can lead to chemical exposure for those working near the spill site. Chemical burns & injuries caused due to skin contact with chemicals may require medical attention! Chemical spills in water or sewage system are extremely hazardous and should be reported immediately to the lab authorities for immediate action.
• Chemical Injuries can lead to health problems: including respiratory diseases, skin conditions & cardiovascular disorders if not managed properly with medical intervention at an early stage of exposure! Chemical hazards have serious implications for human health & safety and should be handled with extreme care, especially in laboratories!
• Chemical Toxicity: Chemical toxicity occurs when humans come into direct contact with high levels of chemicals which are either known or unknown. Chemical hazards can cause injury to the skin, eyes, or respiratory system if not handled carefully!
• Chemical Burns: Contact between the human body & chemicals can lead to Chemical burns. Chemical burns may be caused due to direct contact or exposure of skin with chemicals which leads to a chemical reaction causing severe damage and injury! Chemical burns are extremely dangerous and need immediate medical attention!

HOW CAN CHEMICAL HAZARDS BE AVOIDED?

• Chemical Spill Prevention in laboratories: is extremely important as it helps prevent chemical exposure during laboratory experiments & other scientific activities. Chemical hazards can cause severe injuries and damage to human health if not handled carefully!
• Chemical containers need to be properly labeled: with all relevant information such as: Chemical name, Physical state of the chemicals, Chemical hazard.
• Chemical containers should be kept properly closed at all times: Open chemical bottles can lead to chemical spills if not handled carefully!
• Chemicals stored in storage cabinets, shelves or special racks: need to have safety mechanisms that prevent the chemicals from spilling out and getting into contact with anything around it!
• Chemical containers should be stored away from heat sources: direct sunlight and other chemicals. Chemical hazards can cause serious damage to human health if not handled carefully!
• Chemical containers need to have warning signs: these containers need warning signs to indicate the type of chemical in use. Chemical labels are extremely important as they help prevent exposure during laboratory experiments & scientific activities which could be dangerous if not handled carefully!
• Chemical containers need to be properly disposed of: when they are no longer required. Chemical spills on the ground can cause serious damage & injury resulting from chemical exposure, which needs medical attention immediately for chemical burns or toxicities!
• Chemical Exposure/Chemical Hazards: in laboratories have become a major concern and Chemical Exposure during laboratory experiments needs to be taken extremely seriously! Chemical spills can lead to severe injuries & health problems if not handled carefully.
• Chemicals need to be kept away from the reach of children: at all times as they may mistake them for food or toys and ingest them, leading to Chemical Injuries which require immediate medical attention! Chemical Injuries can cause serious damage to human health if not managed properly. Chemical Hazards have very serious implications for human health & safety which need immediate medical attention!
• Chemicals should never be handled by pregnant women: or people who suffer from chronic diseases as they are more at risk of developing chemical toxicity symptoms in case of exposure, requiring immediate medical attention! Chemical hazards can cause chemical toxicity which requires immediate care and needs to be handled with extreme caution. Chemical exposure during laboratory experiments in a workplace is extremely dangerous if not managed carefully as it could lead to injuries or even death!
• Chemical spills: one of the most common chemical hazards found in laboratories, posing a serious Chemical Hazard to the people who work in laboratories. Chemical Spills can cause severe injuries, which require immediate medical attention!
• Liquid chemicals need to be carefully mopped up: using absorbent materials such as paper towels, sponges, and rags. Chemical spills can cause chemical injuries if not handled carefully!
• The area affected by the spill needs to be cordoned off: so that other people are prevented from entering the area where chemicals have been spilled until it has been properly decontaminated & neutralized! Chemical spills can lead to chemical injuries and the area needs to be kept safe until it has been decontaminated before being accessed by any other personnel.
• Chemical Exposure in laboratories: these are extremely dangerous if not handled carefully as chemical toxicity symptoms can occur which require immediate medical attention. Chemical spills on the ground or chemical exposure during laboratory experiments can lead to chemical toxicity, which needs immediate medical attention. Chemical spills should be cleaned immediately with caution & care by wearing appropriate personal protective equipment such as gloves and glasses or masks before touching anything around it!
• Chemical spills on the ground: these need to be decontaminated using appropriate methods depending on what has been spilled and how it should be handled. Chemical spills can cause Chemical Injuries if not managed properly! Chemical Spills need to be cleaned using appropriate methods depending on what has been spilled and how it should be handled in order to avoid injuries or health problems. Liquid chemicals need to be carefully mopped up with absorbent materials such as paper towels, sponges, and rags. Chemical spills on the ground need to be decontaminated before being accessed by any other personnel. Chemical spills can cause chemical injuries if not handled with care!