1. Mercury
Health Risks:
- Inhalation of mercury vapor can cause neurological and behavioral disorders, such as tremors, insomnia, memory loss, neuromuscular effects, and headaches.
- Mercury in the digestive system can harm the kidneys and thyroid.
Safety Handling Procedures:
- Use mercury in well-ventilated areas to minimize inhalation risks.
- Wear protective gloves and eye protection when handling mercury.
- Ensure all mercury spills are cleaned up promptly using specific mercury decontamination kits.
First-Aid Measures:
- Inhalation: Move the person to fresh air immediately. If breathing is difficult, provide oxygen and seek medical attention.
- Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and rinse skin with water for 15-20 minutes. Seek medical help if irritation persists.
- Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Rinse mouth thoroughly with water and seek medical attention immediately.
2. Benzene
Health Risks:
- Long-term exposure to benzene can lead to blood disorders, including leukemia.
- Benzene is a carcinogen that can also cause bone marrow failure.
- Acute inhalation can cause dizziness, headaches, tremors, confusion, and unconsciousness.
Safety Handling Procedures:
- Use benzene in a fume hood or similar ventilation system to avoid inhalation.
- Wear solvent-resistant gloves, safety goggles, and protective clothing.
- Store benzene in tightly closed containers in well-ventilated, cool areas away from ignition sources.
First-Aid Measures:
- Inhalation: Move the person to fresh air right away. Provide artificial respiration if breathing has stopped. Get medical help immediately.
- Skin Contact: Immediately wash skin with soap and plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing. Seek medical help for severe exposure.
- Eye Contact: Rinse eyes with water for a minimum of 15 minutes, lifting eyelids occasionally. Seek medical attention immediately.
3. Asbestos
Health Risks:
- Inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause lung diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
- Symptoms may appear years after exposure and are often severe.
Safety Handling Procedures:
- Avoid disturbing materials that contain asbestos.
- Use proper respiratory protection when handling asbestos.
- Wet methods and vacuum systems equipped with HEPA filters should be used to minimize airborne fibers.
First-Aid Measures:
- Inhalation: There is no immediate treatment as symptoms may take a long time to develop, but any exposure should be documented, and medical surveillance is required.
- Skin/Eye Contact: Normally not an issue with asbestos, but washing the skin or eyes gently with water after contact is suggested.
For all these substances, proper training and strict adherence to safety guidelines are crucial. Emergency procedures should be established and clearly communicated to all personnel likely to come into contact with these hazardous materials.
4. Lead
Health Risks:
- Lead exposure can cause neurological damage, especially in children, leading to developmental delays and learning difficulties.
- In adults, chronic exposure can result in high blood pressure, kidney damage, and reproductive issues.
- Acute exposure can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, constipation, and fatigue.
Safety Handling Procedures:
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE) including gloves, respirators, and protective clothing when handling lead or lead-containing materials.
- Ensure that work areas are well-ventilated to reduce inhalation risks.
- Implement strict hygiene practices, such as washing hands and changing clothes after handling lead, to prevent ingestion.
First-Aid Measures:
- Ingestion: Seek immediate medical attention. Do not induce vomiting unless directed by a healthcare provider.
- Inhalation: Move the exposed individual to fresh air promptly. Provide supplemental oxygen if breathing is difficult and seek medical attention.
- Skin Contact: Wash exposed skin areas thoroughly with soap and water.
5. Formaldehyde
Health Risks:
- Formaldehyde is a potent irritant to the mucous membranes, causing eye, nose, and throat irritation.
- It is a known carcinogen, with prolonged exposure linked to nasal and lung cancer.
- Short-term exposure can cause acute effects such as coughing, wheezing, and skin irritation.
Safety Handling Procedures:
- Operate in well-ventilated areas to avoid the accumulation of vapors.
- Use appropriate chemical splash goggles, lab coats, and chemical-resistant gloves when handling formaldehyde.
- Keep formaldehyde containers tightly closed when not in use, and store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible materials.
First-Aid Measures:
- Inhalation: Move the person to fresh air right away. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. Seek immediate medical attention.
- Skin Contact: Immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing. Seek medical attention if irritation persists.
- Eye Contact: Rinse eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, lifting lower and upper eyelids occasionally. Seek medical attention immediately.
6. Chlorine Gas
Health Risks:
- Chlorine gas is highly toxic and can cause severe respiratory issues, including pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs).
- It is an irritant to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract.
- High levels of exposure can be fatal due to asphyxiation.
Safety Handling Procedures:
- Handle chlorine gas with extreme care in well-ventilated or outdoor areas.
- Use proper respiratory protection (e.g., gas masks with appropriate filters) and protective clothing, including gloves and goggles.
- Ensure that cylinders containing chlorine gas are stored upright and secured to prevent falling or leaking.
First-Aid Measures:
- Inhalation: Move the affected person to fresh air immediately. Keep the person warm and at rest. Provide artificial respiration if breathing has stopped and seek medical attention immediately.
- Skin/Eye Contact: In case of liquid chlorine contact, flush the affected area with lukewarm, gently flowing water for at least 30 minutes. Seek medical help immediately.
7. Cadmium
- Health Risks:
- Cadmium exposure primarily affects the kidneys and can lead to kidney disease and bone demineralization.
- Inhalation of cadmium dust or fumes can cause severe respiratory tract and lung damage, potentially leading to life-threatening conditions like pulmonary edema.
- Cadmium is also classified as a human carcinogen, associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.
- Safety Handling Procedures:
- Use local exhaust ventilation at the source of cadmium emissions to control airborne levels.
- Wear personal protective equipment, including respirators, gloves, and protective clothing when handling cadmium or cadmium-containing materials.
- Implement hygiene practices to prevent cadmium dust from contaminating eating areas and leaving the work site.
- First-Aid Measures:
- Inhalation: Remove the person from exposure and move to fresh air immediately. If breathing is difficult, administer oxygen and seek medical attention promptly.
- Skin Contact: Wash affected areas thoroughly with soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing and clean thoroughly before reuse.
- Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Rinse the mouth with water if the person is conscious and seek medical attention immediately.
8. Arsenic
- Health Risks:
- Chronic exposure to arsenic can lead to skin lesions, peripheral neuropathy, and an increased risk of cancer, particularly skin, lung, and bladder cancers.
- Acute arsenic poisoning can cause severe gastrointestinal distress, shock, and death.
- Long-term exposure is also linked to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
- Safety Handling Procedures:
- Handle arsenic in a fume hood to prevent inhalation of dust or fumes.
- Use personal protective equipment such as gloves, lab coats, and respiratory protection when necessary.
- Employ engineering controls and handle waste according to local environmental regulations to prevent environmental contamination.
- First-Aid Measures:
- Inhalation: Remove to fresh air immediately. Provide artificial respiration if breathing has stopped. Seek medical help right away.
- Skin Contact: Wash exposed skin with plenty of soap and water. Seek medical attention if irritation or symptoms develop.
- Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting. Give water to drink if the person is conscious. Seek immediate medical attention.
9. Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
- Health Risks:
- Hydrogen sulfide is a highly toxic gas known for its characteristic smell of rotten eggs, although olfactory fatigue can occur, causing individuals to lose their ability to smell it even when concentrations are high.
- Exposure to high concentrations can lead to rapid unconsciousness and death (often referred to as "knockdown").
- Chronic exposure at lower levels can cause irritation of the eyes, respiratory system, and may result in delayed pulmonary edema.
- Safety Handling Procedures:
- Ensure work areas are well-ventilated. Employ continuous air monitoring systems to detect dangerous concentrations of H2S.
- Use respiratory protection when working in areas where hydrogen sulfide gas might be present.
- Regularly inspect and maintain equipment and safety measures in areas where H2S is a risk.
- First-Aid Measures:
- Inhalation: Immediately move the exposed person to fresh air. If not breathing, perform CPR and continue until medical aid arrives. High concentrations can cause rapid unconsciousness and respiratory failure; urgent medical attention is necessary.
- Eye Contact: Flush eyes with clean, cool water for at least 15 minutes while lifting the upper and lower eyelids. Seek medical attention if irritation persists.
- Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing and rinse skin with water, then wash thoroughly with soap and water. Seek medical attention if irritation develops.
