How can chemical-related activities be carried out safely?

 

 

1. What are chemicals?
     Chemicals can occur naturally or be synthetically produced by humans. They can exist in solid, liquid, or gaseous states and possess various properties such as color, odor, acidity or alkalinity, and solubility in water. Examples include detergents, pesticides, and cosmetics.

 

 

2. What are the risks of chemicals?
      We are surrounded by chemicals. Even those we consider harmless can pose risks if they enter the body in excessive amounts. For example:

 

 

 

3. Types of Hazards

- Physical Hazards
These relate to the physical properties of substances or materials that may cause harm, such as explosions, flammability, corrosiveness, or reactions with water.

- Health Hazards
These involve adverse effects on human health, such as toxicity, irritation, allergic reactions, carcinogenicity, or genetic disorders.

- Environmental Hazards
These refer to the impact on living organisms and ecosystems, such as toxicity to aquatic life or the destruction of the ozone layer.

 

 

 

4. Effects Depend on the Amount of Chemical Exposure

     Exposure to a small amount of a chemical may result in no effects or only mild effects, such as irritation. However, exposure to a large amount or prolonged exposure may lead to serious short-term or long-term health effects.

- Acute Effects (Short-Term)
These may occur immediately after exposure, such as skin, eye, or respiratory irritation; nausea; vomiting; headache; dizziness; difficulty breathing; seizures; or unconsciousness.

- Chronic Effects (Long-Term)
These may develop after prolonged or repeated exposure, and can include conditions such as asthma, lung disease, liver disease, kidney disease, cancer, or neurological disorders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is essential to assess whether there is any risk.

In risk assessment, the No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) the highest concentration at which no adverse effects are observed is compared with the exposure level (the amount of substance that enters the body).

 

 

 

 

 

When a chemical is found to pose a risk during the risk assessment process, it is necessary to control or regulate the chemical to ensure safety.

 

 

     However, there are hundreds of thousands of chemicals worldwide, making it difficult for laws to set specific standards for every single one. Therefore, when using and handling chemicals, it is essential for personnel to assess both the potential impacts on human health and the environment.