Toxicological Hazards

Wolfsie, J.H., and C.B.Shaffer. 1959. Hydrogen cyanide. Hazards, toxicology, prevention and management of poisoning. J. Occup. Med. 1 281-288. 

All laboratory workers must clearly understand handling procedures, hazards, toxicology, and compatibility issues as presented in all MSDSs. 

In the previous chapter, we studied health and physical hazards. In this chapter, we will study a new hazard called toxic hazards. Toxicology is the science that studies the harmful effects of chemicals on living tissue. A toxic (poisonous) substance is one that has a... 

The hazard communication (HAZCOM) standard is a central feature in the safe operation of the chemical processing industry. HAZCOM ensures that process technicians can safely handle, transport, and store chemicals. The standard mandates that workers have access to chemical lists, material safety data sheets, information on physical and health hazards, toxicology, hazardous chemicals and operations, manufacturers information, and warning labels. It also sets requirements for availability and use of personal protective equipment. 

E. Graedel, D. T. Hawkins, and L. D. Cld,si.toQ., Atmospheric Chemical Compounds, Academic Press, Odando, Fla., 1986, p. 263, cited in Hazardous Substances Data Bank, Acetone from Toxicology Data Network (TOXNET), National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, Md., Jan. 1990, NATS section in the review. 

Contact with aciylamide can be hazardous and should be avoided. The most serious toxicological effect of exposure to acrylamide monomer is as a... 

Acrolein, acrylamide, hydroxyalkyl acrylates, and other functional derivatives can be more hazardous from a health standpoint than acryhc acid and its simple alkyl esters. Furthermore, some derivatives, such as the alkyl 2-chloroacrylates, are powerful vesicants and can cause serious eye injuries. Thus, although the hazards of acryhc acid and the normal alkyl acrylates are moderate and they can be handled safely with ordinary care to industrial hygiene, this should not be assumed to be the case for compounds with chemically different functional groups (see Industrial hygiene Plant safety Toxicology). 

The particle size and chemical composition of lead and lead compounds affect the readiness with which lead is absorbed from the lungs and digestive tract (see Lead compounds, industrial toxicology). Larger particles and compounds having low aqueous solubiHty are less hazardous than finely divided particles and compounds of higher solubiHty. 

Humans and DomesticHnimals. Data from toxicology studies are used to evaluate hazards to humans from the use of pesticides (40 CFR 158.340 and Subdivision F Guidelines). 

A brief summary of safety and health hazards follows detailed health hazards, however, should be obtained from producers by requesting Material Safety Data Sheets. Proper protective equipment and exposure hazards should be noted before handling any alkan olamine. Detailed toxicological testing is found in the CTEA Chemical Ingredient Review Board Reports on ethanolamines and isopropanolamines (24). 

R. E. Gosselin and co-workers. Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products, Williams Wilkins Co., Baltimore, Md., 1976, p. 86 M. Sittig, Hazardous and Toxic Effects of Industrial Chemicals, Noyes Data Corp., Park Ridge, N.J., 1979, p. 102. 

The toxicology, occupational health hazards, and transportation regulations of cesium compounds result from the anion rather than the cesium cation. Producers and distributors provide an MSDS as well as detailed shipping requirements for each product. 

No toxicological hazards have been associated with the normal use of instant color films. However, direct contact with the highly alkaline processing fluids can cause alkafl bums. The fluids are provided in sealed pods and are not usually handled by the user. In the integral systems, the fluids are retained within the film unit and neutralized in the course of processing. In the peel-apart films, residual fluids are rapidly rendered harmless by contact with the air. 

Cumene, Hazardous Substances Databank No. 172, TOXNET (Toxicology Data Network), National Library of Mediciae, Bethesda, Md., 1989. 

Health and Safety Factors (Toxicology). Manufacture of cyanamide and calcium cyanamide does not present any serious health hazard. Ingestion of alcohoHc beverages by workmen within several hours of leaving work sometimes results in a vasomotor reaction known as cyanamide flush. Cyanamide interferes with the oxidation of alcohol and accumulation of acetaldehyde probably accounts for this temporary phenomenon. Although extremely unpleasant, it has not been known to result in serious illness or to have any permanent effect. 

D. D. Lockwood and H. W. Taylor, Toxicological Properties and Industrial Handling Hazards of D.E.R 361 Epoyj Resin, The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Mich., 1982. 

Toxicology. The toxicity of ethyl ether is low and its greatest hazards in industry are fire and explosion. The vapor is absorbed almost instandy from the lungs and very prompdy from the intestinal tract. It undergoes no chemical change in the body. Prevention and control of health hazards associated with the handling of ethyl ether depend primarily on prevention of exposure to toxic atmospheric concentrations and scmpulous precautions to prevent explosion and fire. 

Process Safety Information Physical, chemical, and toxicological information related to the chemicals, process, and equipment. It is used to document the configuration of a process, its characteristics, its limitations, and as data for process hazard analyses. 

The absorption, distribution, and accumulation of lead in the human body may be represented by a three-part model (6). The first part consists of red blood cells, which move the lead to the other two parts, soft tissue and bone. The blood cells and soft tissue, represented by the liver and kidney, constitute the mobile part of the lead body burden, which can fluctuate depending on the length of exposure to the pollutant. Lead accumulation over a long period of time occurs in the bones, which store up to 95% of the total body burden. However, the lead in soft tissue represents a potentially greater toxicological hazard and is the more important component of the lead body burden. Lead measured in the urine has been found to be a good index of the amount of mobile lead in the body. The majority of lead is eliminated from the body in the urine and feces, with smaller amounts removed by sweat, hair, and nails. 

Indicators of toxicity hazards include LD50, LC50, plus a wide range of in vitro and in vivo techniques for assessment of skin and eye indtation, skin sensitization, mutagenicity, acute and chronic dermal and inhalation toxicity, reproductive toxicology, carcinogenicity etc. 

Cheremisinoff, N. P., Handbook of Industrial Toxicology and Hazardous Materials, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, 1999. 

Hazardous Materials Toxicology. Sullivan J, Krieger G, eds. (Williams Wilkins, 1992). 

Contains the health hazards and risks, toxicological data, and first aid procedures Exposure routes and limits signs and symptoms target organs and medical conditions aggravated by exposure. 

Health Hazards Information - Information included are recommended personal protective equipment for hazard materials handling specialist, typical symptoms following exposure to the chemical, general first aid treatment procedures, and various toxicological information including toxicity by ingestion, inhalation and short term exposures. Additional information included are the liquid or solid irritant characteristics and odor threshold data. 

---