Hazardous substances are chemical elements and compounds that present some risk to health, safety or the environment.
In 2005, it was estimated that there were around 30,000 dangerous substances in daily use without knowing the possible effects on health in the medium or long term. Some of these substances are as dangerous as those called PBDEs or polybrominated diphenyl ethers, used as fire retardants, in pajamas or televisions, DDT, a substance that accumulates in the human body and is proposed.
Regulations
Within the European Union, Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 of December 16, 2008 on classification, labeling and packaging of substances and mixtures, which repeals and/or modifies Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC and Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006, applies.
Each country has had to transpose the Directive into its local legislation.
The first classification is according to its properties:
1 – Physical properties (solids, liquids or gases). According to the characteristics of the emergency, materials can be affected by certain physical properties such as vapor density, the ability to dissolve in water, specific weight and boiling point.
2 – Chemical properties (in relation to health, combustibility and reactivity). It refers to the production of toxic substances dangerous to people's lives, the environment and also due to their ability to burn or explode: toxic level, corrosion, radioactivity, flash point, ignition temperature, oxidation capacity, instability and reactivity with air or water.
Classification by class there are 9 types of hazardous substances or materials:
Explosives.
Gases.
Flammable liquids.
Flammable solids.
Oxidizing materials.
Poisonous materials.
Radioactive materials.
Corrosive materials.
Other regulated materials.
Class 1 - Explosives.
They are materials or devices that release gas and heat; Its operation may be due to the effects of heat, shock or contamination and the results may lead to mechanical or thermal risks.
The first division is according to the risk of massive explosion, that is, the entire load instantly explodes, such as dynamite and TNT.
Control of Hazardous Substances
Introduction
Hazardous substances are chemical elements and compounds that present some risk to health, safety or the environment.
In 2005, it was estimated that there were around 30,000 dangerous substances in daily use without knowing the possible effects on health in the medium or long term. Some of these substances are as dangerous as those called PBDEs or polybrominated diphenyl ethers, used as fire retardants, in pajamas or televisions, DDT, a substance that accumulates in the human body and is proposed.
Regulations
Within the European Union, Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 of December 16, 2008 on classification, labeling and packaging of substances and mixtures, which repeals and/or modifies Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC and Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006, applies.
Each country has had to transpose the Directive into its local legislation.
The first classification is according to its properties:
1 – Physical properties (solids, liquids or gases). According to the characteristics of the emergency, materials can be affected by certain physical properties such as vapor density, the ability to dissolve in water, specific weight and boiling point.
2 – Chemical properties (in relation to health, combustibility and reactivity). It refers to the production of toxic substances dangerous to people's lives, the environment and also due to their ability to burn or explode: toxic level, corrosion, radioactivity, flash point, ignition temperature, oxidation capacity, instability and reactivity with air or water.
Classification by class there are 9 types of hazardous substances or materials:
Explosives.
Gases.
Flammable liquids.
Flammable solids.
Oxidizing materials.
Poisonous materials.
Radioactive materials.
Corrosive materials.
Other regulated materials.
Class 1 - Explosives.
They are materials or devices that release gas and heat; Its operation may be due to the effects of heat, shock or contamination and the results may lead to mechanical or thermal risks.
Another division is explosives with projection risk. Projectiles or fragments, flares and detonating cords.
Another is explosives that have a fire risk in addition to blasting and projectiles. This is the case of rocket engines and special fireworks.
They are also divided into those that have a lower risk of explosion such as commonly used fireworks and small arms ammunition.
They are followed by explosives with a risk of massive explosion, being extremely stable with a low possibility of explosion. This is the example of Ammonium Nitrate and Fuel Oil Mixtures.
Finally, the division of those that are extremely insensitive with low risk of mass explosion, that is, they can hardly explode accidentally.
Class 2 - Gases.
These types of materials can be compressed or liquefied, both by pressure and extreme cold, or dissolved under pressure. The consequences for people can be frostbite and/or poisoning.
The main risks associated with gases are violent rupture, due to fire conditions or not, flammability, corrosivity and asphyxiation and the characteristics to maintain combustion.
Gases are divided into: flammable: they ignite easily and burn quickly. This is the case of Methyl Chloride, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Acetylene and Hydrogen.
Non-flammable gases: compressed material that does not burn and supports combustion. For example Carbon Dioxide, Cryogenic Argon, Ammonia, Anhydrous.
Poisonous gases: they are toxic and constitute a serious health risk such as Chlorine, Methyl Bromide and Phosgene.
Class 3: Flammable and combustible liquids.
Flammable Liquid: is a liquid that has a flash point below 37 °C. (100 °F) This is the case of gasoline, Ethyl Alcohol and Toluene.
Combustible Liquid: liquid with a flash point at or above 37 °C and below 93 °C. (100°F - 200°F). Example: Fuel Oils, Fuel, Diesel, Solvents, Pyrophoric Liquid. It is also the material that ignites spontaneously in the presence of dry or humid air at or below 54 °C. This is the case of Aluminum Alkyl, Thorium Nitrate.
Class 4: Flammable solids.
The first type is solid, non-explosive material, susceptible to causing fire through friction or retained heat from manufacturing processes, or easily flammable upon contact with air or water. Includes flammable solids, liquids and reactive solids.
The first division is the solids that ignite and burn easily; they burn incessantly, making extinction difficult; They can be moistened explosives, self-reactive materials and easily combustible solids. This is the case of pellets, shavings, Magnesium and Nitrocellulose tapes.
They are followed by spontaneous combustion (pyrophosphoric) and self-heating materials; They ignite upon contact with air. For example Aluminum Alkalis, Charcoal, Phosphorus, Cotton waste.
In addition, there are materials that spontaneously ignite and can release flammable or toxic gases when they come into contact with humid air or water. This is the case of Calcium Carbide, Magnesium Powders and Sodium Hydride.
Another class is oxidizing materials and organic peroxides. These materials produce oxygen, thus stimulating the combustion of organic and inorganic materials.
They are divided into:
Oxidizers: Due to their contribution of oxygen, they can increase or cause the combustion of other materials, even in the absence of air. It is the example of Ammonium Nitrate, Calcium Hypochlorite and Hydrogen Peroxide.
Organic Peroxides: These are materials that, in addition to improving the combustion of other materials, can be sensitive to heat, friction or shock. Some of these, when decomposed, can ignite if the ambient temperature conditions are adequate. For example, Peroxyacetic Acid, Benzol Peroxide, Whitening Peroxides.
Class 6: Poisonous and irritating materials.
The effects of this type of materials can be on all forms of life, whether people, animals or plants. The routes of entry into the body can be through the skin, ingestion or inhalation. They can also be poisonous, flammable and corrosive.
They are divided into poisonous materials including anilines, Arsenic Compounds, Carbon Tetrachloride, Hydrocyanic Acid. Tear and etiological gases are classified as irritants. Among the latter, there are those agents that have the potential to cause diseases in humans, such as germs and toxins. For example Botulism, Rabies, AIDS, Hepatitis, etc.
Class 7: Radioactive materials.
These materials are characterized by emitting different types of particles, by name they are Alpha, Beta and Gamma. Their effects can be at a biological level or can be evidenced by the burns caused in those organisms exposed to them.
Class 8: Corrosive materials.
They are materials that cause damage when they come into contact with the skin, they also cause corrosion or weakening of steel and aluminum and the vapors they give off can be poisonous and irritating. Some of them react to contact with water. Examples: Hydrochloric Acid, Nitric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda), Sulfuric Acid.
Class 9: Regulated materials.
They are materials not included in another risk class during transport but can be anesthetic, harmful or cause irritation. In the case of Naphthalene, Quick Lime, magnetized material, household cleaning elements.
Packaging and labeling
Dangerous substances, and preparations containing them, must be packaged in suitable containers that are not attacked by the substance. These containers must have closure systems that, in some cases, will also be child-safe.
The containers must also, in most cases, bear danger marks detectable by touch.
Danger phrases and precautionary advice
In order to standardize the descriptions of the specific risks attributed to dangerous substances and preparations in all the languages of the European Union, a series of phrases, called R phrases, have been defined, which are found in Annex III of the Directive.
Safety data sheet
The safety data sheet includes, in 16 sections, all the information related to the safety of the substance, the conditions of use and handling, and the methods of action in case of accident or discomfort.
The first division is according to the risk of massive explosion, that is, the entire load instantly explodes, such as dynamite and TNT.
Another division is explosives with projection risk. Projectiles or fragments, flares and detonating cords.
Another is explosives that have a fire risk in addition to blasting and projectiles. This is the case of rocket engines and special fireworks.
They are also divided into those that have a lower risk of explosion such as commonly used fireworks and small arms ammunition.
They are followed by explosives with a risk of massive explosion, being extremely stable with a low possibility of explosion. This is the example of Ammonium Nitrate and Fuel Oil Mixtures.
Finally, the division of those that are extremely insensitive with low risk of mass explosion, that is, they can hardly explode accidentally.
Class 2 - Gases.
These types of materials can be compressed or liquefied, both by pressure and extreme cold, or dissolved under pressure. The consequences for people can be frostbite and/or poisoning.
The main risks associated with gases are violent rupture, due to fire conditions or not, flammability, corrosivity and asphyxiation and the characteristics to maintain combustion.
Gases are divided into: flammable: they ignite easily and burn quickly. This is the case of Methyl Chloride, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Acetylene and Hydrogen.
Non-flammable gases: compressed material that does not burn and supports combustion. For example Carbon Dioxide, Cryogenic Argon, Ammonia, Anhydrous.
Poisonous gases: they are toxic and constitute a serious health risk such as Chlorine, Methyl Bromide and Phosgene.
Class 3: Flammable and combustible liquids.
Flammable Liquid: is a liquid that has a flash point below 37 °C. (100 °F) This is the case of gasoline, Ethyl Alcohol and Toluene.
Combustible Liquid: liquid with a flash point at or above 37 °C and below 93 °C. (100°F - 200°F). Example: Fuel Oils, Fuel, Diesel, Solvents, Pyrophoric Liquid. It is also the material that ignites spontaneously in the presence of dry or humid air at or below 54 °C. This is the case of Aluminum Alkyl, Thorium Nitrate.
Class 4: Flammable solids.
The first type is solid, non-explosive material, susceptible to causing fire through friction or retained heat from manufacturing processes, or easily flammable upon contact with air or water. Includes flammable solids, liquids and reactive solids.
The first division is the solids that ignite and burn easily; they burn incessantly, making extinction difficult; They can be moistened explosives, self-reactive materials and easily combustible solids. This is the case of pellets, shavings, Magnesium and Nitrocellulose tapes.
They are followed by spontaneous combustion (pyrophosphoric) and self-heating materials; They ignite upon contact with air. For example Aluminum Alkalis, Charcoal, Phosphorus, Cotton waste.
In addition, there are materials that spontaneously ignite and can release flammable or toxic gases when they come into contact with humid air or water. This is the case of Calcium Carbide, Magnesium Powders and Sodium Hydride.
Another class is oxidizing materials and organic peroxides. These materials produce oxygen, thus stimulating the combustion of organic and inorganic materials.
They are divided into:
Oxidizers: Due to their contribution of oxygen, they can increase or cause the combustion of other materials, even in the absence of air. It is the example of Ammonium Nitrate, Calcium Hypochlorite and Hydrogen Peroxide.
Organic Peroxides: These are materials that, in addition to improving the combustion of other materials, can be sensitive to heat, friction or shock. Some of these, when decomposed, can ignite if the ambient temperature conditions are adequate. For example, Peroxyacetic Acid, Benzol Peroxide, Whitening Peroxides.
Class 6: Poisonous and irritating materials.
The effects of this type of materials can be on all forms of life, whether people, animals or plants. The routes of entry into the body can be through the skin, ingestion or inhalation. They can also be poisonous, flammable and corrosive.
They are divided into poisonous materials including anilines, Arsenic Compounds, Carbon Tetrachloride, Hydrocyanic Acid. Tear and etiological gases are classified as irritants. Among the latter, there are those agents that have the potential to cause diseases in humans, such as germs and toxins. For example Botulism, Rabies, AIDS, Hepatitis, etc.
Class 7: Radioactive materials.
These materials are characterized by emitting different types of particles, by name they are Alpha, Beta and Gamma. Their effects can be at a biological level or can be evidenced by the burns caused in those organisms exposed to them.
Class 8: Corrosive materials.
They are materials that cause damage when they come into contact with the skin, they also cause corrosion or weakening of steel and aluminum and the vapors they give off can be poisonous and irritating. Some of them react to contact with water. Examples: Hydrochloric Acid, Nitric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda), Sulfuric Acid.
Class 9: Regulated materials.
They are materials not included in another risk class during transport but can be anesthetic, harmful or cause irritation. In the case of Naphthalene, Quick Lime, magnetized material, household cleaning elements.
Packaging and labeling
Dangerous substances, and preparations containing them, must be packaged in suitable containers that are not attacked by the substance. These containers must have closure systems that, in some cases, will also be child-safe.
The containers must also, in most cases, bear danger marks detectable by touch.
Danger phrases and precautionary advice
In order to standardize the descriptions of the specific risks attributed to dangerous substances and preparations in all the languages of the European Union, a series of phrases, called R phrases, have been defined, which are found in Annex III of the Directive.
Safety data sheet
The safety data sheet includes, in 16 sections, all the information related to the safety of the substance, the conditions of use and handling, and the methods of action in case of accident or discomfort.