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BOHS_Chemical Hazards
The document summarizes chemical hazards and discusses the Bhopal gas tragedy. It describes how the Bhopal disaster killed thousands by releasing methyl isocyanate gas and lacked proper emergency response. Afterward, laws were passed to improve chemical safety, including assigning responsibility to plant operators. The document then outlines various toxic chemicals like metals, gases, and pesticides, describing their uses and health effects. It emphasizes increasing awareness of chemical hazards and emergency procedures to prevent future disasters.
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BOHS_Chemical Hazards
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- 2. 2 IAOH - 2013 December3rd 1984
- 3. IAOH - 2013 3 BhopalGas Disaster The Union Carbide Pesticide Plant in Bhopal, released 40 tons of Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) gas, killing between 2,500 to 5,000 people in the early hours of the morning. The World’s worst Industrial Disaster
- 4. IAOH - 2013 4 The gas being heavier than air, started entering into the homes of the unwary population. Many who panicked and ran out also got crushed in stampedes. Around 500,000 were estimated to be exposed to the gas & around 20,000 have died as a result. Over 120,000 continue to suffer from the from the effects of the disaster.
- 5. IAOH - 2013 Doctors and Hospitals were unaware of the nature of the Gas, nor were they informed of the proper treatment of the inhalation of MIC gas, being merely asked to give cough medicine & eye drops. If they were informed about the same, proper treatment could have been instituted & a lot of lives could have been saved. 5
- 6. IAOH - 2013 RedPage in Annals of Occupational Health The Bhopal disaster brought into sharp focus the unprecedented potential of hazardous chemical release in terms of loss of life, health, injury and evacuation. It created a compelling evidence to approach disaster management and chemical safety holistically. The disaster brought in its wake, an era of restructuring and inducting new hazardous chemical control systems and procedures all over the world 6
- 7. IAOH - 2013 There have been many more such incidents of a relatively minor nature. One such was a Petroleum tanker accident on the highway near Mumbai. Spillage of the chemical on to the road came to the attention of the local impoverished tribal population, which started collecting the liquid, presuming it to be cooking fuel. A spark led to a conflagration consuming the lives of innocents. Such incidents brought into focus the vulnerability and the need for Risk assessment of transportation of Hazardous chemicals. 7
- 8. IAOH - 2013 Another frequent accident occurs when workers descend into empty confined spaces such as disused Wells, Food silos, Sewage channels etc, due to presence of noxious gases such as H2S & CO. Many a lives have been lost and even those who tried to save the victims, due to lack of knowledge, have fallen prey to the same gas exposure. 8
- 9. IAOH - 2013 PostBhopal Gas Disaster Factories Act was amended to assign responsibility for workplace safety to the Occupier. Environment Protection Act was introduced in 1986. The Manufacture, Storage & Import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules,1989. The Chemical Accidents, Emergency Planning, Preparedness and Response,1996 introduced. 9
- 10. IAOH - 2013 India at present is achieving new milestones, major economic breakthroughs and moving ahead towards the vision of a developed nation. A sustained industrial growth including progress of the chemical sector is crucial to attaining this goal. The growth of the chemical sector has led to increase in the manufacture, storage and use of Hazardous chemicals (Hazchem) resulting in enhanced threats of accidents. Occurrence of accidents remains a cause of concern. 10
- 11. 11 IAOH - 2013 TheIndian Chemical Industry contributes to 6.7% of the GDP. Indian Fertilizer Industry is the fourth largest in the world. Largest manufacturer of Pesticides in Asia second only to Japan. Indian Pharmaceutical industry is the largest in the developing world
- 12. IAOH - 2013 There are around 1790 Major Accident Hazard units in the country, handling large number of chemicals as raw materials, in processes, products and wastes with flammable, explosive, corrosive, toxic and noxious properties. Handling of large quantities of hazardous chemicals in installations, isolated storages and during transportation, poses grave risk of sudden release of copious quantities of toxicants. This may adversely impact both the communities in and around the area and the environment. 12
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- 14. IAOH - 2013 Impactof a chemical Disaster 14
- 15. IAOH - 2013 A chemical substance is a material with a definite chemical composition. New chemicals are being discovered daily & at last count there are about 30 million chemical compounds 15
- 16. IAOH - 2013 Toxicology Toxicology is the science concerned with poisons and how they affect the body. The main factors which determine the Toxicity of a substance are Chemical Composition- Some more poisonous than others Physical State-More toxic in soluble form than gas Amount Concentration Particle Size -especially when inhaled Routes of Absorption- Inhaled, Skin Contact or Ingestion. Presence of other poisons -Additive effects Duration of Exposure 16
- 17. IAOH - 2013 Durationof Exposure to Chemicals Acute - Short Mins to Hrs Sub acute - Longer up to 90 days Chronic - Prolonged /Repeated over days, months & years. 17
- 18. 18 IAOH - 2013 Measurementof Toxic Substances Threshold Limit value (TLV): Time weighted (average) concentration of an airborne substance to which workers could be safely exposed over an Eight hour working day throughout a life time. Maximum Allowable Concentration (MAC) Peak or Maximum conc. of an airborne substance to which workers could be safely exposed. Biological Limit values (BLV) : Concentration of the substance in body fluids such as blood & urine below which no toxic effects should occur.
- 19. IAOH - 2013 Susceptibilityto Toxic Chemicals Genetic factors State of Health Hypersensitivity or Allergy Personal Hygiene & other personal habits such as Smoking etc. Pregnancy & lactation. 19
- 20. IAOH - 2013 Effects,Metabolism & Excretion of Poisons Local- contact site such as Skin, URT Systemic Organs other than portal of entry In general, effects are on the metabolic processes of the body, especially enzymes. Others combine with substances essential for metabolism eg-CO 20
- 21. IAOH - 2013 Poisons are detoxified in different organs notably the Liver. Excretion takes place thro gut, urinary tract, skin or lungs. May also pass thro placenta & milk. Dose -Effect & Dose response demonstrate the response between the dose and the magnitude of effect. 21
- 22. IAOH - 2013 Hazards Skin Irritation Eye Irritation Inhalation Effects Ingestion Effects Carcinogenicity Mutagenecity 22
- 23. IAOH - 2013 23 Natureof Chemicals Inorganic and organometallic Substances- Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Cadmium & Chromium compounds, Fluoride, Lead, Manganese, Mercury, Nickel etc. Organic Chemicals - Aliphatic Hydrocarbons such as Cyclohexane, n-Hexane, Methyl pentane Aromatic Hydrocarbons such as Benzene, Styrene, Toluene & Xylene. Halogenated Hydrocarbons - Halothane, Trichloroethylene & Vinyl Chloride. Amino & Nitro derivatives - Aniline, Nitroglycerine, Trinitrotoluene
- 24. IAOH - 2013 Alcohols, Glycols & derivatives- Ehtylene glycol, Methanol Cetones- Acetone Aldehydes-Formaldehyde Amides & Phenols Asphyxiants such as Acrylonitrile, Carbon Monoxide,Cyanide & Aliphatic Nitriles. Pesticides such as Baygon, Carbaryl, Chlorphenoxyacetic acid derivatives 24
- 25. IAOH - 2013 DDT, Dieldrin, Endrin, Hexachlorbenzene Carbamate Insecticides Lindane Organophosphorus esters Parathion Mutagenic and carcinogenic Substances Others such as Carbon Disulfide, Diethylstilboesterol & Ethylene Oxide 25
- 26. IAOH - 2013 Lead Inorganic& Organic Inorganic Lead Mining & Smelting Lead Paint Lead Storage Batteries Pottery enamelling & glazing Polyvinyl Plastics-Lead stabilisers Glass manufacture Fire arms 26
- 27. IAOH - 2013 Effectsof Lead Exposure Peripheral Neuropathy Anaemia Nephrotoxicity GI Spasm Treated with Chelating agents such as BAL, EDTA& Penicillamine. 27
- 28. IAOH - 2013 Mercury Inorganic& Organic In Scientific Measuring Instruments-Thermometers, barometers,Transformers, Rectifiers Mercury Vapour Lamps & Storage batteries Amalgams for Dental use & Jewellery Seed Dressings & as Pesticides 28
- 29. IAOH - 2013 Effectsof Mercury Exposure Miamata Bay,Japan- (Untreated Inorganic Mercury released into sea waters-contaminated Fish.) Stomatitis, Gingivitis CNS Dysfunction Erethism Tremors Chronic Nephritis 29
- 30. IAOH - 2013 OtherMetals Phosphorus - Phossy Jaw (matches) Arsenic - Smelting, Pesticides, Weed Killer, Metal smelting, refining, in manuftrng of chemicals & electronic equipment- Irritant, Peripheral Neuropathy Haemolytic. Manganese - Dry Electric batteries- Parkinsons Syndrome, Psychosis, Pneumonitis Cadmium - Used as alloy in Welding, batteries, Dentistry, pigments,paints,pesticides- Nephrotoxic, Emphysema. Nickel- Dermatitis Chromium- Chrome Ulcers, Necrosis of Nasal Septum 30
- 31. IAOH - 2013 CarbonCompounds Aliphatic & aromatic Aliphatic -Methyl Alcohol, Tetrachlorethane, Carbon tetrachloride, Trichlorethylene & Glycols Aromatic - Benzene, Toluene, Xylene etc. Exposure- Degreasing, Metal Machining, painting, Welding, Wood working & Printing. 31
- 32. IAOH - 2013 HealthEffects Occupational Dermatitis CNS depressants CVS disturbances esp CS2 Nephro toxic Bone Marrow Depression & Leukemia Carcinogenesis Chromosomal aberrations 32
- 33. IAOH - 2013 Pesticides Poisoningthrough skin absorption & GI tract. Insecticides & Fungicides - - Pyrethrum & Pyrethrins (Mosquito Coils), Organochlorine Compounds such as DDT, Lindane, Dieldrin & Aldrin, Organophosphate compounds such as Parathion, Dichlovos, Carbamates & Organic Mercurials. Herbicides - Arsenicals, Dinitrophenol,Di nitro Ortho cresol,Phenol herbicides, Paraquat, Diquat, Phenoxy herbicides. Rodenticides & Fumigants -Calcium Cyanide, Methyl bromide, Phosphine, Anticoagulants. 33
- 34. IAOH - 2013 Gases Inert,Irritant & gases with Systemic Effects Inert gases - Act by displacing O2 -Anoxic Anoxia, eg: Methane Irritant Gases - Flourine & its compounds, Ammonia, Sulphur Dioxide, Ozone, Phosgene. Gases with Systemic effects- Carbon Monoxide (Toxic Anoxia),Carbon Disulfide (Chemical Anoxia), Hydrogen Cyanide & Cyanide Salts, Acetylene (Cyanide has a Bitter almonds smell whilst Benzaldehyde has a sweet almonds smell) 34
- 35. IAOH - 2013 Halogen Gases like Cl2,Br,Flourine,Iodine have an Irritant effect on URT. Flourine could cause Flourosis, Fits & Coma. Ammonia- Irritant, Brochospasm, Pulmonary Oedema & Respiratory Arrest Sulfur Dioxide So2 - Lassitude, Chronic Bronchitis, Loss of Smell. Ozone-Irritant, emphysema, Pulmonary Fibrosis. Phosgene-Pulmonary Oedema, Fibrosis & Emphysema 35
- 36. IAOH - 2013 Carbon Monoxide - Anoxia, Headache, Cough, Paralysis, Sensory Loss, Parkinsonism, Death. Hydrogen Sulphide - Irritant, Loss of Smell, Giddiness, Unconsciousness, Death. Hydrogen Cyanide - Extremely Poisonous. Bitter Almond Smell, Dermatitis, Headache & Motor Weakness at low conc. Breathlessness & Coma.. Acetylene - Fume Fever 36
- 37. IAOH - 2013 GeneralPrinciples for Prevention & Control of Exposure at Worksite Substitution Segregation Enclosure Ventilation Wet Methods Personal Protective Devices Monitoring of Work Environment Monitoring of Exposed Workers Education & Supervision Enforcement Emergency Measures 37
- 38. IAOH - 2013 Managementof Poisoning Cases Basic Principles Removal from further Exposure / Evacuation Detoxification eg Chelating agents Supportive Therapy - Oxygen & IV Fluids. 38
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- 40. 40 IAOH - 2013 Conclusion Needto increase Awareness About the Industries in your area About the nature of Chemicals being used, stored and transported About their hazards and treatment procedures in the event of exposure.
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- 42. IAOH - 2013 Thankyou Acknowledgements: Dr Chaitanya S Gulvady 42