CHEMICAL HYGIENE PLAN
Mt. Sinai School of Medicine
Institutional Biosafety Program
Philip G. Hauck, M.S., MSHS, CIH,CPEA
3 / 2005
Introduction
• This presentation gives an over view of the main points
found in OSHA and US EPA regulations covering health
and safety in laboratories
• It is not all- inclusive or comprehensive
• Resources, additional materials are available at:
www.mssm.edu/health_safety
– http://www.mssm.edu/health_safety/pdf/chemical_hygiene_par
ti.pdf
– http://www.mssm.edu/health_safety/pdf/chemical_hygiene_par
tii.pdf
Material Safety Data Sheets
• Collect and keep available in your laboratory
at all times-it is required by OSHA and the US
EPA!!
• Refer to sheets often, especially for
hazardous and toxic materials you handle in
the laboratory.
• Copy and attach to Standard Operating
Procedures.
Material Safety Data Sheets
• Must be provided by Vendor/Distributor as required
by OSHA Standards 29 CFR 1910.1200 and .1450
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hazardcommunications/index.html
Must contain,CHEMICAL IDENTITY, HAZARD,
HEALTH EFFECTS, TOXICITY information.
• Labels on containers must be printed with
manufacturer/ vendor/ distributor address and lot
numbers. No photocopies or hand-written labels.
Sources Of Information
•
•
•
•
MSDS’s supplied by Chemical Distributor
Labels (NFPA and DOT hazard symbols)
Toxicology Texts in MSSM Library
RTEC’s Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical
Substances - NIOSH “Phonebook” of toxics
• Internet WEB sites
• Computer soft-ware
• Chemical Vendor catalogs
Sources of Information
•
•
•
•
•
Merck Index
Chemical vendor/distributor hot-lines
IARC Monographs
NIOSH Publications on specific carcinogens
Toxicology Journals and Publications
Sample Hazard Reference Card
ACRYLAMIDE
CAS: 79-06-1
OSHA PEL: 0.3 mg/m3 skin
DOT: UN2074
ACGIH TLV: 0.03 mg/m3 skin
TOXIC EFFECT:
Confirmed carcinogen with experimental carcinogenic and neoplastigenic data. Poison by
ingestion, skin contact, intravenous, intraperitoneal routes. Experimental reproductive
effects. Skin and eye irritant. Intoxication with this agent has caused peripheral
neuropathy, erythema and desquamation of palms. CAUTION: READILY ABSORBED
THROUGH SKIN.
Chronic effects - onset from 1-2 years, up to 8 years post-exposure. By dermal route,
numbness, tingling and touch-tenderness in affected sites. Repeated exposures
developed coldness of extremities, bluish-red, peeling palms marked fatigue and limbweakness. CNS toxin; rat-oral LD 50 30 mg/kg Acrylamide (14 days) resulted in partial
paralysis .
FIRST AID:
Move victim to fresh air and call emergency medical care ( CALL MSMC Security ext. “60”);
if not breathing, give artificial respiration; if breathing is difficult, give oxygen. In case of
contact with material, immediately flush site with running water for AT LEAST 15 minutes.
Speed in removing material from the affected site is of extreme importance to minimize
uptake by victim.
Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes at the exposure site. Effects may be
delayed; keep victim under observation.
Toxicology (PDQ)
• LD50 -- Median Dose toxic to 50% of Test
population (usually mg/kg, ug/kg etc.)
• LC50 -- Same as LD50, but usually an
inhalation dose i.e. (quantity) /m3 or ppm
• Dose x Response Curve -- Plot of an effect
or mortality verses a given dose of chemical
• Portal of Entry -- Many chemicals exhibit
different toxicities or effects depending upon
point of entry.
Two Points To Remember
• How toxic is the compound?
– In Humans?
– In Mammals?
– Ames Test / Mutagenicity Data?
• How does it enter the body?
– Inhalation?
– Percutaneous / injection?
– Ingestion?
Inhalation:
• Uptake and distribution by bloodstream to
other target organs
• Local toxicity to airways and lung
• Simple asphixiant (just displaces oxygen) or
anesthetic like Carbon Dioxide
• Local irritation ( NH4OH )or deep in alveolar
region (COCl2)
• Systemic effect on deep organs & tissues
Percutaneous ~ Injection (Dermal)
• Dilipidation of skin (local) i.e. Chloroform
• Penetration through stratum corneum - i.e.
dimethyl sulfoxide (acts as a “vehicle”)
• Accidental needlestick, cuts, other skin breaks;
entry into deep tissues, bloodstream
• Local Toxicity / effect (dermatitis, cracking of skin)
• Systemic Toxicity / effect (organ inflammation and
/or necrosis)
Ingestion
•
•
•
•
Deliberate / inadvertent ingestion
Splash / spray into mouth, nasal passages
Deposition on hands -- face
Deposition on surfaces that are handled ~
“fomites” in biohazard control
• Hand-to-Mouth ingestion (object-to-mouth)
Standard Operating Procedures
1910.1450(e)(3)(i) “Standard operating
procedures relevant to safety and health
considerations to be followed when
laboratory work involves the use of
hazardous chemicals; “
Standard Operating Procedures
• For chemicals with toxicity < 500mg/kg (oral or
inhalation) and carcinogens, ca-suspect agents,
embryotoxic and allergenic chemicals
• WRITTEN PROTOCOL (not an outline)
identifying all toxic chemicals and all steps to
be used by personnel handling the agent(s) re:
receiving, manipulation, storage, and disposal
Standard Operating Procedures
• SPECIFY ALL MANIPULATIONS/SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS FOR EACH STEP
• SPECIFY ALL STORAGE / DISOSAL
PRACTICES
Exposure Prevention ~ Reduction
• Perform risk assessment for all chemicals in
use in your protocols
• Substitute less toxic / less hazardous
chemicals if at all possible
Exposure Prevention ~ Reduction
• Design-out exposures using closed systems,
screw caps, covered reservoirs, fume hoods
• Scale-down procedures (smaller quantities)
• Select appropriate personal protective
equipment (PPE) that will protect you
Medical Surveillance
• Employee Health Service monitoring of exposures
• Suspected poisonings / exposures / accidents go to
Employee Health or MSMC Emergency
Department!!
• Give: Identity of Chemical -- Exposure
Conditions -- Signs and symptoms of exposure
• Written Report – MSMC Employee Medical File
ACRYLAMIDE
Reference Card
CAS: 79-06-1
DOT: UN2074
TOXIC EFFECT:
OSHA PEL: 0.3 mg/m3 skin
ACGIH TLV: 0.03 mg/m3 skin
Confirmed carcinogen with experimental carcinogenic and neoplastigenic data. Poison by
ingestion, skin contact, intravenous, intraperitoneal routes. Experimental reproductive
effects. Skin and eye irritant. Intoxication with this agent has caused peripheral neuropathy,
erythema and desquamation of palms. CAUTION: READILY ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN.
Chronic effects - onset from 1-2 years, up to 8 years post-exposure. By dermal route,
numbness, tingling and touch-tenderness in affected sites. Repeated exposures developed
coldness of extremities, bluish-red, peeling palms marked fatigue and limb-weakness. CNS
toxin; rat-oral LD 50 30 mg/kg Acrylamide (14 days) resulted in partial paralysis .
FIRST AID:
Move victim to fresh air and call emergency medical care ( CALL MSMC Security ext.
“60”); if not breathing, give artificial respiration; if breathing is difficult, give oxygen. In case
of contact with material, immediately flush site with running water for AT LEAST 15 minutes.
Speed in removing material from the affected site is of extreme importance to minimize
uptake by victim.
Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes at the exposure site. Effects may be
delayed; keep victim under observation.
Control Of Hazards
• INHALATION
– Use of Tight Fitting caps
– Closed Reservoirs (covers on buffer tanks)
– Eliminate evaporation / aerosol generation in the open space
– Use of Chemical Fume Hood / Glove Box to control release of
vapors to general work space
– Reduction of Bench work exposures
Control Of Hazards
• DERMAL
– Barrier garment use (Gloves, Aprons, PPE)
– Limited use of needles, glass pipettes
– Substitution of solvents (where possible) to less
hazardous
Control Of Hazards
• INGESTION
– Face Shields (splash to face-skin deposition)
– Hand Protection – gloves
– No Food in Laboratories / refrigerators/ walk-ins
– Routine Housekeeping i.e. cleaning benches,
Hood surfaces, phones etc.
Exposure Prevention ~ Reduction
• Perform risk assessments for all chemicals in use
in your protocols
• Substitute less toxic~ less hazardous chemicals if
at all possible
• Design-out exposures using closed systems,
screw caps, covered reservoirs, chem fume
hoods or glove boxes
Exposure Prevention ~ Reduction
• Scale-down procedures (smaller quantities)
• Select appropriate personal protective
equipment that will protect you specifically for
the chemicals you use (no latex exam gloves
for acutely toxic chemicals!!)
In Memorium**
The New York Times
HANOVER, N.H., June 10 [1997] - A Dartmouth College chemistry professor has
died from exposure to a rare form of mercury, first synthesized more than 130
years ago.
Karen E. Wetterhahn, 48, who also had served as an associate dean and a dean
at the college, died on Sunday, about 10 months after accidentally spilling a few
drops of dimethylmercury on her disposable latex gloves while performing a
laboratory experiment. The substance, which has no practical application, is used
in research on heavy metals.
Prof. John S. Winn, chairmen of the college's chemistry department, said
Professor Wetterhahn was a leader in the study of how heavy metals can initiate
cancer at the molecular level. Dimethylmercury is so rare that it is only in use in
perhaps 100 laboratories worldwide at any given time, he said.
In Memorium**
Through a search of medical literature, the college determined that
exposure to the substance killed two laboratory assistants in 1865,
shortly after it was first synthesized, and a 28-year-old chemist in 1971.
After years of study[ing] chromium metal toxicity, Professor Wetterhahn
had turned to the study of mercury in a sabbatical at Harvard University
in September 1995, Professor Winn said. In the experiment at Dartmouth
last August, she had used dimethylmercury to set up a standard against
which to measure other mercury involved in her research.
The drops apparently spilled onto her gloves, passed quickly through the
latex and were absorbed through her skin. After her illness was
diagnosed in late January, the college had the latex gloves
independently tested, and it was determined that the mercury could
pass through in 15 seconds or much less.
**It was Dr. Wetterhahn’s wish that all
Occupational H&S Professionals get
the word out to her colleagues about the
dangers of using the wrong Personal
Protective Equipment with hazardous
chemicals
Good Chemical Handling and Storage
• Refer to:
www.mssm.edu/health_safety
http://www.mssm.edu/health_safety/pdf/chemical_st
orage_practices.pdf
http://www.mssm.edu/health_safety/pdf/Hazardous
ChemicalsStorage.pdf
http://www.mssm.edu/health_safety/pdf/HazWaste
Management.pdf
And now……Let’s play…..
http://www.epa.gov/region02/capp/cip/cases.htm
http://www.epa.gov/region02/capp/cip/agreeex.htm
“TOXIC” Jeopardy!!
What is….”Improper Chemical Storage!!”
What is: “food storage in a refrigerator with
toxic chemicals”
What is: “Improperly labeled container”for $10,000 (fine-EPA!!)
What is: ‘Funnel –in-throat” container
What is: “old chemicals, some open, bad
housekeeping”
What is: “improperly labeled waste container on a
sink”…$10,000
What is: “‘Funnel –in-throat” container”
What is: “‘Funnel –in-throat” container”
What is: “Funnel –in-throat” container
and improperly labeled” (Waste Organics??)
What is: “ improperly labeled container”
What is: “ unlabeled inherently waste-like (Hg!!) and
improperly labeled containers”
What is: “ an unknown, waste-like
container”
What is: “ inherently waste-like container”
What is: “ improperly labeled containers-two
labels / label over original ”
What is: “Improper disposal of a hazardous
waste”—guaranteed $10,000 EPA fine!!
What is: “Poutpourri” You name it!! All of the
above???
What is: “The right way”
EHHHHH!!! The wrong way!!
Previous slides “stolen” from:
“Health and Safety Lessons Learned from College
Environmental Assessments”
•Edward Wilson, MS, CIH, CSP
•Stuart Spiegel, MS
Summation
• Even though it was done in a humorous
manner, none of the above slides are
funny from a health and safety point of
view
• There are some serious and potentially
hazardous conditions demonstrated above
• One chemical among some shown above, if
mishandled can result in…well…look at the
following……..
Peroxide Crystals formed from Isopropyl Ether
Another bottle from the same college’s laboratory that has
peroxidized, with a light-impact detonation cap.
(RHR-Inc)
This could easily have occurred in the lab if bumped or
heated
(RHR-Inc)
The resulting
detonation left a
crater in the
ground
approximately
three foot wide
by one foot
deep !
A laboratory chemical that has been
stored / handled improperly
can be hazardous to your health!
Three 5 gal. containers of peroxidized Tetrahydrofuran at
@ 120 o F!!
Courtesy RHR-Inc
Do any of these look like chemicals in your lab areas?
Courtesy RHR-Inc.
Good Chemical Handling / Storage
•
•
•
•
Check your inventories……
Get rid of what you do not need
Manage those containers with bad labels
Manage waste collection containers with correct
labeling of contents, and keep caps closed when
not adding to them
• Make sure all chemicals have proper labels and are
within expiration dates / known shelf lives
CONCLUSION
Resources:
www.osha.gov
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hazardoustoxicsubstances/index.
html
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/laboratories/index.html
www.epa.gov
http://www.ert.org/
http://www.epa.gov/sbo/labguide.htm
http://www.epa.gov/region02/p2/college/ca-sites.htm
www.mssm.edu/health_safety
Questions???
Chemical Disposal:
Kevin McQuillan; 4-SAFE
Chemical Information:
www.mssm.edu/health_safety
Assistance / additional training:
Philip Hauck; 241 5169
philip.hauck@mssm.edu
Thank you for attending…see you next year!!