Hazard information sources Materials

Professor Martel s book addresses specifically some of the more technical eispects of the risk assessment process, mainly in the areas of hazard identification, and of the consequence/effect analysis elements, of the overall analysis whilst where appropriate setting these aspects in the wider context. The book brings together a substantial corpus of information, drawn from a number of sources, about the toxic, flammable and explosive properties and effect (ie harm) characteristics of a wide range of chemical substances likely to be found in industry eind in the laboratory, and also addresses a spectrum of dangerous reactions of, or between, such substances which may be encountered. This approach follows the classical methodology and procedures of hazard identification, analysing material properties eind... 

An estimate of the toxicity or intrinsic hazard is needed for each material identified in the inventory. Such information for many chemicals in the form of a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) are required by the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard. (Other countries have similar requirements.) Standard hazard-data sources may need to be consulted for those chemical compounds for which no MSDSs are presently available. Adequate hazard data may be lacking for various mixtures that are unique to the plant. For such mixtures, it may be necessary to analyze the contents and then estimate the overall hazard based on the individual components. 

Although we have access to an enormous amount of information, the quality and reproducibility of data varies considerably. Governmental and regulatory influences have not provided any guarantees as to the accuracy of data related to xenobiotics and the researcher needs to understand the purpose and mandates behind an information resource to fully evaluate the data contained within. For example, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) criteria for selection of data is not based on the reproducibility of that data. Other sources, such as the National Library of Medicine s Hazardous Substances Databank (HSDB), present information compiled from a wide variety of source materials that are extensively reviewed by experts. 

Webster JK (1987) Toxic and Hazardous Materials A Sourcebook and Guide to Information Sources. Westport, CT Greenwood (ISBN 0-313245754). 

A characteristic of many research laboratories is that chemicals may be produced or synthesized in the course of the research. If the composition of the chemical is known and it is a hazardous material, all of the training requirements and other provisions of the standard apply. If the composition is not known, it shall be assumed to be hazardous and, with the exception of the requirements for MSDSs and similar information sources, the provisions of the CHP apply. If the chemical is produced for a user outside the laboratory, the provisions of the Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) apply, including the requirement for providing an MSDS and proper labeling of the material. Compliance with these requirements will be the responsibility of the individual laboratory and a commitment to this compliance should be in the laboratory CHP. 

Every container of hazardous chemicals at a worksite must be labeled, tagged, or marked with a hazard warning, with a few exceptions. Chemical hazard warning labels are one way of informing you of the hazards and of how to protect yourself when using or storing that material. The hazard warning label is not intended to be the sole or most complete source of hazard information. For complete hazard information, always refer to the safety data sheet (SDS). 

Chemical Hazards Resporise Information System (CHRIS), provid ing hazardous material information in a four-volume manual, the Haz ard Assessment Computer System (HACS), and the National Response Center (NRC), a regional response team activator and information source... 

---