Handling Hazardous Materials at Home

Many common household products contain chemicals that can cause injury or
death if they are not handled, stored, or used properly.
Some of the household products that contain hazardous chemicals are oven
cleaners, tile cleaners, toilet-bowl cleaners, liquid drain openers, antifreeze,
chrome-wheel cleaners, rust removers, gasoline, motor oil, lead paint,
turpentine, lacquer thinner, and muriatic acid.
These safety precautions can help keep you and your family safe.
 Carefully read the ingredient list of any product or chemical you use.
The label can also tell you how to use the proper protective equipment,
how to handle the chemicals, and how to respond to emergencies. The
label will tell you if the substance is flammable, corrosive, or may cause
cancer. It will also state whether you should use eye protection, gloves,
or other equipment.
 Purchase the proper personal protective equipment like gloves or
goggles. Clean and care for them properly.
 Be aware of the hazardous materials you come in contact with. Learn
about the specific characteristics and dangers.
 Follow safe procedures when you handle hazardous material. Don't take
shortcuts.
 Handle, store, and get rid of hazardous materials safely and according
to approved procedures. Never pour them down sewers or drains.
 Don't mix or combine hazardous materials unless you know you can do
so safely. Many products can cause violent reactions or release
poisonous fumes when combined.
 Transferring flammable liquids like gasoline, from one container to
another can make static electricity that could ignite the fumes.
 Always carry chemicals in approved containers.
 Always wash your hands after using any unsafe material.
 Store materials properly, as directed on their labels. Flammable
chemicals should be stored in a cool, dry place away from heat and
sunlight. Some chemicals like acids must be stored separately from
each other.
Common hazardous substances
Many industrial, agricultural and medical organisations use hazardous substances. The
degree of hazard depends on the concentration of the chemical.

Common hazardous substances in the workplace include: 

 acids
 caustic substances
 disinfectants
 glues
 heavy metals, including mercury, lead, cadmium and aluminium
 paint
 pesticides
 petroleum products
 solvents.

Possible side effects of exposure to hazardous

substances
Health effects depend on the type of hazardous substance and the level of exposure
(concentration and duration). A hazardous substance can be inhaled, splashed onto the
skin or eyes, or swallowed. Some of the possible health effects can include: 

 poisoning
 nausea and vomiting
 headache
 skin rashes, such as dermatitis
 chemical burns
 birth defects
 disorders of the lung, kidney or liver
 nervous system disorders.

Hazardous chemicals
Hazardous chemicals are substances that can cause adverse health effects such as
poisoning, breathing problems, skin rashes, allergic reactions, allergic sensitisation,
cancer, and other health problems from exposure.

Many hazardous chemicals are also classified as dangerous goods. These can cause
fires, explosions, corrosion, and hazardous reactions if not handled safely.
Examples of hazardous chemicals include:

 paints
 drugs
 cosmetics
 cleaning chemicals
 degreasers
 detergents
 gas cylinders
 refrigerant gases
 pesticides
 herbicides
 diesel fuel
 petrol
 liquefied petroleum gas
 welding fumes
 asbestos
 flammable liquids
 gases
 corrosives
 chemically reactive or acutely (highly) toxic substances.
Do your employees know how to handle hazardous materials safely? Do you have written policies and
procedures for handling hazardous materials and are your employees trained on those procedures? Here are 12
basic rules all employees who handle or work around hazardous materials should know and follow:

1. Follow all established procedures and perform job duties as you have been trained.
2. Be cautious and plan ahead. Think about what could go wrong and pay close attention to what you are
doing while working with or around hazardous materials.
3. Always use required PPE; inspect it carefully before each use to make sure it’s safe to use. Replace
worn PPE; it won’t provide adequate protection.
4. Make sure all containers are properly labeled and that materials are contained in an appropriate
container. Don’t use any chemical not contained or labeled properly. Report damaged containers or
illegible labels to your supervisor immediately.
5. Read labels and the Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) before using any material to make sure you understand
hazards and precautions.
6. Use all materials solely for their intended purpose. Don’t, for example, use solvents to wash your
hands, or gasoline to clean equipment.
 7. Never eat or drink while handling hazardous material. If your hands are contaminated, don’t use
cosmetics or handle contact lenses.
8. Employees handling hazardous materials need to read labels on chemicals they use or handle and have
Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) available to refer to that explain how to properly deal with handling,
storing, and cleaning up spills, and that explain relevant first-aid procedures.
9. Store all hazardous materials properly, separate incompatibles, and store in ventilated, dry, cool areas.
10. Employees must keep themselves and the work area clean. After handling any hazardous material,
wash thoroughly with soap and water. Clean work surfaces at least once per shift, so contamination
risks are minimized.
11. Learn about emergency procedures and equipment. Understanding emergency procedures means
knowing evacuation procedures, emergency reporting procedures, and how to deal with fires or
spills/leaks. It also means knowing what to do in a medical emergency if a co-worker is injured or
overcome by chemicals.
12. Keep emergency eyewash and shower stations clean. Test them at least monthly to make sure they are
working properly and keep them accessible; don’t let clutter build up around the stations.

Your department may have other safety rules and concerns.  Present this list in a safety meeting and get your

10 Hazardous Chemicals You Might Encounter on

the Job
1. Arsenic
Physical state: Solid
Where it’s found in the workplace: Agriculture, wood preservatives, glass production, electronics. 
Health risks: Cancer, respiratory and circulatory problems, damage to the nervous system.

2. Lead
Physical state: Solid
Where it’s found in the workplace: Often found near mining sites as well as in-car batteries, roofing
materials, statues, electronics, ammunition, sailboats, and scuba diving gear.
Health risks: Anemia, brain damage, kidney disease, birth defects.

3. Benzene
Physical state: Liquid
Where it’s found in the workplace: Crude oil and gas. Benzene is also used to make plastics,
detergents, pesticides, and other chemicals. Benzene is produced naturally by volcanoes and forest
fires.
Health risks: Bone marrow damage, anemia, excessive bleeding, weakened immune system.

4. Chromium
Physical state: Solid
Where it’s found in the workplace: Chromium is often mixed with other metals to make alloys and
stainless steel. Chromium is also used as a coating to prevent rust on metallic surfaces.
Health risks: Asthma, respiratory irritation, cancer, damage to the eyes, eardrums, kidneys, and liver.

5. Toluene
Physical state: Liquid
Where it’s found in the workplace: Paint thinners, nail polish removers, glues, correction fluids (White-
Out), explosives, printing, leather tanning, inks, stain removers.
Health risks: Dizziness and confusion, anxiety, muscle fatigue, insomnia, numbness, dermatitis, liver
and kidney damage.

6. Cadmium
Physical state: Solid
Where it’s found in the workplace: Rechargeable batteries, coatings, solar cells, pigments, plastic
stabilizers, plating.
Health risks: Flu-like symptoms, lung and respiratory damage, kidney disease, bone disease, cancer,
damage to the neurological, reproductive, and gastrointestinal systems.

7. Zinc
Physical state: Solid
Where it’s found in the workplace: Pipe organs, auto parts, sensing devices, sunblock, ointments,
concrete, paint. Also used to form alloys with other types of metals. 
Health risks: Nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, headaches, kidney, and stomach problems.

8. Mercury
Physical state: Liquid
Where it’s found in the workplace: Measuring instruments such as thermometers and barometers,
fluorescent lamps, mercury vapor lamps, dental fillings, telescopes, cosmetics, vaccines.
Health risks: Damage to the nervous system, digestive system, immune system, lungs, thyroid,
kidneys, memory loss, insomnia, tremors, neuromuscular changes, and paralysis.

9. Pesticides
Physical state: Liquid, solid, gas
Where it’s found in the workplace: While not a chemical in itself, many workplaces such as
agriculture and pesticide production plants contain a presence of pesticides that are used for pest
control.
Health risks: Blindness, rashes, blisters, nausea, diarrhea, respiratory problems, cancer, asthma,
seizures, Parkinson’s disease.-

10. E-Waste
Physical state: Liquid, solid, gas
Where it’s found in the workplace: Like pesticides, electronic waste is not a chemical in itself but
rather a collection of harmful chemicals found in and around disposed appliances such as
televisions, refrigerators, microwaves, computers, and other household appliances.

Ammonia
Ammonia is a common ingredient in household and industrial cleaning agents, and poses
little threat in small doses or in its liquid form. Ammonia becomes dangerous once the liquid
is exposed to oxygen, transforming it into ammonia gas.

The onset of ammonia poisoning are swift, usually within just a few minutes. Exposed victims
suffer from runny nose, shortness of breath, red eyes, and a burning throat. If the exposure
continues, victims may suffer burns to the respiratory system and the gastrointestinal tract.
Severe ingestion can cause problems with the central nervous system, leading to paralysis
and death.

Companies can combat ammonia exposure through the transition to non-ammonia based
cleaners and the distribution of face masks when ammonia is used in the facility. Ventilators
and fans operating while cleaning can further limit the risk.

Chlorine
Once used as a weapon of mass destruction during World War I, chlorine is now considered
one of the most important chemicals to the modern electronics industry. It plays an essential
role in the construction of circuit boards and semiconductors, and continues to be the
bleaching agent of choice for the paper industry.

Chlorine, especially in its gaseous form, is deadly at much lower levels than other industrial
chemicals. At as little as 15 ppm, victims experience irritation, and by 60 ppm, permanent
respiratory damage may occur. Chlorine gas becomes deadly at 1000 ppm, even if the victim
is only exposed for a few minutes.

Incidents of chlorine exposure are difficult for employers to combat, because there are very
few chemicals that can replace chlorine. Instead of eliminating the risk or substituting the
chemical, employers must focus on administrative and engineering hazard controls. The CDC
discovered that education about the safe transport and handling of chlorine can have a
substantial impact on the rate of incident. Additionally, ventilators and fans located near the
floor can be effective in moving chlorine away from employee workspaces.
Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)
Hydrochloric acid is a vital chemical in the processing and manufacture of metals, textiles,
and rubber. It is one of the world’s strongest acids, and may cause permanent damage at very
low levels of exposure.

Short-term exposure to hydrochloric acid will cause irritation of the eyes and other soft
tissues. The first warning sign is often a sharp cough and trouble breathing. As exposure
increases, victims suffer from internal bleeding and gastrointestinal failure. Long-term
exposure may lead to light sensitivity, hyperplasia and severe dental problems. Death and
permanent scarring are possibilities for direct exposure to the acid, even if only for a few
seconds.

Sulfuric Acid
Perhaps the most deadly chemical in the workplace, sulfuric acid is a critical component in
the manufacture of most fertilizers, batteries, acids, and metals. Its extremely corrosive
nature makes it exceptionally dangerous in its most common concentrations.

In low doses, short-term exposure to sulfuric acid can cause damage to the respiratory tract
and teeth when the acid is inhaled. Physical contact with sulfuric acid will cause burns and
scars at most concentrations. Long-term exposure will cause increased sensitivity for the eyes
and throat, leading to periodic bleeding and chronic dryness. Over time, scarring in the lungs
will cause lung failure and death. Direct exposure to high concentrations will leave serious,
immediate scars or burns.

Some alternatives exist to sulfuric acid in the workplace, most notably the process of ion
exchange, which eliminates the need for acids in a reverse osmosis system. Other research
has shown that carbon dioxide is a comparable alternative to sulfuric acid when neutralize
pH. As with hydrochloric acid, employers can further increase their commitment to safety
with washing stations and personal protective equipment.

Chemicals in the workplace represent serious hazards to employees and the public, if the
chemicals are improperly handled. It is the responsibility of industrial managers and factory
operators to ensure the proper procedures are in place to limit chemical risks.