CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT

Chemical Hazards & Occupational Disease

How can chemicals cause illness and effect body systems?

Asthma, various cancers, and damage to vital organs are among some of the most common diseases resulting from workplace exposure to harmful chemicals. The use of potentially harmful chemicals in the workplace always carries with it an element of risk. However, the risk of harm is minimized where chemicals are used and stored correctly.

The first step to prevention is knowledge. Below you can find described many common diseases related to workplace chemical exposure . We have also identified harmful chemicals and classes of chemicals most often found in workplaces and described their ill effects on the body.

Asthma

Could your workplace be making you sick? Learn about the effects chemical hazards in the workplace can have on occupational asthma.

Bladder Cancer

After smoking, occupational exposure to chemicals is the second most important risk factor for developing bladder cancer.

Blood Systems

There are many occupational chemicals and metals that have been identified as targeting the blood. Keep yourself protected at work.

Kidney Damage

Exposure to chemical substances can cause adverse effects on the kidney, ureter, or bladder (Kidney Toxicity). 

Liver Damage

The liver is a complex organ that plays a central role in the detoxification and elimination of many chemicals. 

Lung Disease

Occupational lung diseases cover a wide array of diagnoses that may be caused by the inhalation of dusts, chemicals, or proteins.

Reproductive System

Where you work, how you work, and what you work with can affect your reproductive health or your family’s health.

Skin Disease

In many jurisdictions occupational skin disease represents the largest proportion of Occupational Disease and Workers Compensation Insurance claims.

Occupational Health Hazards

Industries that make use of hazardous chemicals in the workplace need to be aware of the dangers associated with those chemicals to protect their employees from harm. The first step towards prevention is knowledge. When potentially hazardous agents and their harmful effects are identified, the appropriate precautions be taken to protect the health and safety of worker. Here are some of the most common health hazards associated with specific chemicals or classes of chemicals.

Ammonia

Inhalation exposure to high levels of ammonia in the air may irritates the skin, eyes, throat, and lungs and causes coughing and burns.

Asphyxiation

An asphyxiation hazard is a gas or vapour that can cause unconsciousness or death through suffocation. 

Asbestos

Asbestos is a hazardous material and a known carcinogen that can be found in materials used in older buildings and structures. 

Aspiration

An aspiration hazard is a hazardous substance that may be fatal if they are swallowed and enter the airways through inhalation.

Benzene

Benzene has both physical and health hazards associated with it. Benzene is a highly flammable liquid and vapor. It may be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide or CO is a toxic gas that you cannot smell, see or taste and, for this reason, it is known as the ‘silent killer’. 

Diesel Exhaust

Breathing in diesel exhaust can cause lung irritation and cause an allergic reaction causing asthma. It can also make pre-existing asthma worse.

Hydrogen Sulfide

Considered a confined space hazard. It settles in low spots. This can pose risks when entering areas like confined spaces where the gas may be present.

Isocyanates

Isocyanates are powerful irritants to the mucous membranes of the eyes and gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. 

Lead

Lead is a cumulative toxin that affects multiple body systems and is particularly harmful to young children. 

Liquified Petroleum Gas

LPG is an asphyxiant gas that can cause unconsciousness and/or death if oxygen levels are sufficiently reduced. 

Mercury

Mercury is a naturally occurring element that is found in air, water and soil. All mercury compounds are toxic. 

Methanol

Methanol is a clear colourless liquid that is water soluble and readily biodegradable. Other common names include wood alcohol or methyl alcohol.  

NORM

NORM stands for Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material. It exists in very low concentrations all around us because of radioactive elements found in the natural environment.  

Ototoxins

Exposure to certain chemicals and medications can cause hearing loss or exacerbate the effects of noise. These chemicals and medications are considered ototoxic.

Propane

In high concentrations propane displaces oxygen and is an asphyxiant gas. It causes suffocation if allowed to accumulate to concentrations that reduce oxygen below safe breathing levels.

Silica

Silica is a naturally occurring mineral commonly found in sand and rock. If precautions are not taken to protect workers from exposure to silica dust, chronic long-term illness can result.

Welding Fumes

Your risk from welding fumes depends on how toxic the fumes are, how concentrated the fumes is, and how long you were breathing in the fume. 

UV Radiation

Excessive exposure to UV radiation from the sun is associated with different types of skin cancer, sunburn, accelerated skin aging, as well as cataracts and other eye diseases.

Wildfire Smoke Exposure

Wildfire smoke is a complex mixture of pollutants that travel and can affect not only local residents but communities far from the fire itself.

Don’t Take Home Chemical Contamination from Work

Chemicals can travel home with you from work where you can unknowingly share your contamination with family and pets.

The Essential Tool for Industrial Hygienists

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