The Dangerous Properties

Substances and preparations are divided into 15 groups in accordance with their dangerous properties. These represent their most important toxic, ecotoxic, and physical-chemical properties, although some special properties are not represented, e. g., the suffocating property of nitrogen and the rare gases. 

These 15 dangerous properties constitute the major dangers of substances or preparations, and are described in detail by using prescribed R-phrases. 

The exact definitions of these dangerous properties are laid down in annex VI of the Dangerous Substance Directive 67/548/EEC [3-1]. The stipulated danger 

For approximately 2000 substances, legal classifications are listed in aimex I of Directive 67/548/EEC. 

Not every dangerous property can be characterized by its own danger symbol, a consequence of the fact that there are only 10 danger symbols for 15 dangerous properties. Therefore the correct classification of substances or preparations cannot be deduced from the danger symbol or the indication of danger that it represents. 

---

Safety procedures must be observed in the laboratory at all times. Many chemicals encountered in analysis are poisonous and must be carefully handled. Whereas the dangerous properties of concentrated acids and of widely recognised poisons such as potassium cyanide are well known, the dangers associated with organo-chlorine solvents, benzene and many other chemicals are less apparent. 

Control the carriage of dangerous substances in all road tankers and in tank containers with a capacity of 3 m or more. They apply to all substances which exhibit any of the dangerous properties detailed in Schedule 1 to the regulations, from the commencement of loading until the tank has been emptied and cleaned or purged, so that any residual substance or its vapour is not sufficient to create a risk to health and safety. 

Hypochlorites, chlorites, chlorates and perchlorates all represent the same dangers, which are linked to the fact that they are strong oxidants. The danger is not directly linked to the importance of the oxidation state of chlorine atom and this is partly for kinetic reasons. The main factors of the accidents described in the technical literature are not the intrinsic properties of each anion, but rather the frequency with which they are used. So chlorates and perchlorates are more often involved in accidents than hypochlorites and especially chlorites, which are hardly used. Thus the classification below does not provide positive indications about the dangerous properties of each substance mention. ... 

The dangerous properties of acute toxicity, irritation, corrosivity, sensitisation, repeated-dose toxicity and CMR are evaluated in terms of their potential toxic effects to workers, consumers and man exposed indirectly via the environment, based on the use for each stage in the lifecycle of the substance from which exposure can occur. Risk assessment is also required if there are reasonable grounds for concern for potential hazardous properties, e.g., from positive in vitro mutagenicity tests or structural alerts. The risk assessment involves comparing the estimated occupational or consumer exposure levels with the exposure levels at which no adverse effects are anticipated. This may be a quantitative risk assessment, based on the ratio between the two values, or a qualitative evaluation. The principles of human health risk assessment are covered in detail by Illing (a.30) and more briefly in Chapter 7 of (73). 

Industrial Disaster Control is briefly discussed in the Dangerous Properties of Hazardous Materials by N. Irving Sax, Reinhold, NY (1957), pp 166-169... 

The Agency evidently did not know that DNsoPMT ts 3. high explosive, just slightly less powerful than TNT. Fortunately no accident occurred and all 50 tons of material Were recalled after some Inspectors of the US State Department learned about the dangerous properties of DNsoFMT (Kef 9)... 

The structural formula of this substance indicates the presence of a functional group characteristic of an explosive substance. This structure cannot be the decisive factor because other substances having the same functional group are not necessarily as dangerous as 5-CT. It is now clear that correct evaluation of the dangerous properties of a substance such as 5-CT cannot be achieved unless several evaluation methods are applied in parallel. At present, there are no judicial regulations for 5-CT in Japan, because it is not very common and hence is not considered dangerous. 

The Handbook of Hazardous Chemical Properties is a compendium of information on the dangerous properties of industrial and consumer chemicals. Nearly 700 chemical compounds are covered in the volume. For each chemical, the following information has been organized ... 

---