Chapter 45 – Chemical Hygiene and Safety Plan

DRAFT

45.1 Policy
45.2 Scope
45.3 Applicability
45.4 Exceptions
45.5 Roles, Accountabilities, Responsibilities and Authorities
45.6 Definitions
45.7 Required Work Processes
45.8 Source Requirements
45.9 Reference Documents
45.10 Appendices

Appendix A. Regulations
Appendix B. Chemical Toxicology Overview
Appendix C. Carcinogens
Appendix E. Odor Threshold Table for Chemicals
Appendix D. Reproductive Toxins

Note:
🚩🚩 Denotes a new section

🚩 Denotes the beginning of changed text within a section

🛑 Denotes the end of changed text within a section

__________________

45.1 Policy

The Berkeley Lab Chemical Hygiene and Safety Plan (CHSP):

Provides requirements and guidance for the safe handling, use, and storage of hazardous materials in laboratory, shop, and office settings.
Identifies responsibilities and establishes procedures for identifying, evaluating, and controlling hazardous materials.

45.2 Scope

The scope of the CHSP includes the requirements of the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard (8 CCR 5194) for employees in shop and office settings and the Cal/OSHA Occupational Exposures to Hazardous Materials in Laboratories (8 CCR 5191) and National Fire Protection Association Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals (NFPA 45) for employees working in for laboratory environments.
The Hazard Communication Standard was developed to inform employees who work with hazardous chemicals of the risks associated with those chemicals. The Lab also implements Proposition 65 Warnings in compliance with this standard in areas on-site which require a warning under this Act. A separate standard (the Laboratory Standard) was specifically developed for laboratory operations because these environments often differ from industrial and office settings in the use and handling of hazardous chemicals.
Berkeley Lab is required to comply with these Cal/OSHA standards. These requirements have been combined into this CHSP in order to establish a single standardized framework for chemical hygiene practices, information dissemination, and training at Berkeley Lab, regardless of the occupational setting.

45.3 Applicability

The CHSP requirements and guidance applies to Berkeley Lab division directors, supervisors, work leads, employees, contractors, casual and participating visitors, and support personnel for the safe handling, use, and storage of hazardous materials in laboratory, shop, and office settings. This plan identifies responsibilities for these personnel and establishes procedures for identifying, evaluating, and controlling hazardous materials.

45.4 Exceptions

The CHSP does not apply to the following:

Articles. An article is a manufactured item such as an O-ring or a steel rod that is formed to a specific shape and, when used under normal conditions, does not release more than very small quantities of a hazardous chemical and does not pose a physical hazard or health risk to employees. Items such as welding/brazing rods, which may produce metal fumes when used, are hazardous materials and do not meet this exception.
Biological hazards. These fall under the provisions of the Berkeley Lab’s Biosafety Program (ES&H Manual Chapter 26).

Questions or comments may be addressed to the CHSP Manager.

45.5 Roles, Accountabilities, Responsibilities and Authorities

Role: Hazardous Chemical Procurement Decision Maker (e.g., Requestor)

The Hazardous Chemical Procurement Decision Maker (e.g., Requestor) is the person deciding which hazardous chemicals to purchase and/or to allow onsite (e.g. chemicals shipped from other institutions). This role should practice prudent purchasing habits and purchase chemicals in a manner that reduces safety risks, hazardous waste and environmental impacts. This role also has the ultimate responsibility to ensure restricted chemicals and gases are approved before they arrive on-site. This includes verifying work authorizations are in place and the necessary resources are available for safe storage and use of chemicals.

Accountable for:

Responsible for:

Authority to:

Obtaining hazardous chemical screening and approvals prior to arrival onsite
Verifying that safe storage conditions exist and Work Authorizations are in place prior to requesting chemicals

Understanding the safety, hazardous waste, and environmental impacts of chemicals they procure
Determine if substitution with a less hazardous alternative is an option
Determine if borrowing or sharing a chemical is an option
When purchasing, keep working quantities to the minimum amount required
Coordinating with a Project Lead or Activity Lead to ensure an approved work activity exists for the chemical use
Ensuring all hazardous chemicals, including compressed or liquified gas cylinders, are added to CMS through the appropriate channel in Work Process D. Section 4a
Communicating hazardous chemicals including compressed or liquefied gases to be obtained through ePro to the Requisition Preparer
Communicating with the Chemical Owner to ensure conditions exist for safe storage before ordering chemicals
Communicating with Project/Activity Lead to ensure work authorizations exist for chemicals before ordering
Review Lessons Learned prior to chemical procurement and use

Commit resources to purchase chemicals
Confirm proper storage facilities exist or commit resources to properly store chemicals and dispose of wastes
Grant permission to allow chemicals from another institution to arrive and be used on-site after receiving necessary approvals prior to the transfer

Role: Requisition Preparer or Buyer

The Requisition Preparer and Buyer act on instructions from the Requestor. This role’s main responsibility is to follow purchasing guidelines established by LBNL.

Accountable for:

Responsible for:

Authority to:

Adherence to LBNL purchasing processes and requirements

Following purchasing instructions of the Requestor
Following LBNL purchasing processes and requirements
Properly categorizing (or confirming) restricted chemicals in the ePro system

Act on directions of the Requestor

Role: Chemical Owner

The Chemical Owner (sometimes referred to as Chemical Manager) is accountable for the safe storage of chemicals they own/manage. This includes the responsibility to monitor and ensure chemicals are being stored properly. People fulfilling this role must have the authority to commit or request resources to ensure their chemicals are stored properly and purchase items like flammable storage cabinets, secondary containers, etc. as needed.

Accountable for:

Responsible for:

Authority to:

Safe storage of hazardous chemicals
Accurate and complete data for required fields in CMS for hazardous chemicals they own
Peroxide-forming and time sensitive chemical labeling, testing, management and recordkeeping

Providing/requesting resources to make safe storage possible
Ensuring proper and safe chemical storage
Timely entry and accurate data in CMS
Safe and compliant waste requisition
Peroxide-forming and time sensitive chemical labeling, testing, management and recordkeeping
Specific to time sensitive chemicals, enter secondarily-filled containers into CMS
Ensure all hazardous materials are removed, transferred to new ownership, or properly disposed of.

Commit/request resources to implement controls to ensure safe chemical storage and disposal
Set administrative controls such as procedures for safe storage of chemicals
Delegate responsibilities to a “Designated Responsible Person”
Correct unsafe storage issues
Refuse delivery of chemicals for which safe storage conditions do not exist

Role: People Using Chemicals

Many people at LBNL use chemicals in their work including career staff (researchers, employees, workers, etc.), subcontractors, affiliates and users. People using chemicals must understand the hazards of the chemicals they work with and follow applicable safety precautions. People performing this role have the authority to refuse work if they feel unqualified to use the chemical.

Accountable for:

Responsible for:

Authority to:

Following policies and procedures in the ES&H Manual and Requirements and Policies Manual (RPM)
Following guidelines and instructions provided in applicable WPC activities
Planning for hazardous wastes generated during chemical use

Working safely by observing safety standards, guidelines, and procedures, and by using good judgment based on training and expertise
Working within the scope of established work activities
Discussing any changes in work activities with the Activity Lead or Project Lead before proceeding
Complying with the Personal Protective Equipment requirements for Technical Areas and WPC activities authorizing their scope of work
Immediately reporting unsafe conditions or injuries
Being familiar with and following emergency procedures
Accepting conditions to work on WPC activities and attending/completing required training prior to start of work
Safe and compliant waste requisition

Refuse work for which they believe they are not qualified to perform safely
Stop work in accordance with LBNL’s stop work policy

Role: Project Lead

The Project Lead is the person with overall responsibility for the safety of work activities under their projects.

Accountable for:

Responsible for:

Authority to:

Safe and compliant use of chemicals under their projects
Work authorization for each aspect of work under their projects

Adhering to all EHS policies and safe work practices
Integrating EHS into funding, prioritizing, planning, scheduling and implementation of work conducted under their purview
Ensure that Work Planning and Control activities are in place, accurate, active and properly maintained for applicable work
Ensure that workers have completed all required training and are authorized to perform work
Investigate accidents and near misses involving hazardous materials
Ensure that corrective actions identified from accident investigations and laboratory/shop inspections are implemented

Oversee operations to ensure they are conducted safely and within established work authorizations and scopes of work
Make resources available as needed to procure necessary tools and equipment to perform the work safely
Correct performance deficiencies
Assign responsibilities to an Activity Lead or “Designated Responsible Person”

Role: Activity Lead

The Activity Lead role may be performed by many people including Principal Investigators, supervisors, managers, Post-Docs, and others. The Activity Lead is the person responsible for generating work activities in WPC, training and authorizing workers to work on those activities and leading day-to-day work operations under those authorized work activities.

Accountable for:

Responsible for:

Authority to:

Work approved under a WPC activity
Worker qualification for the specific tasks performed under their WPC work activities

Adhering to all EHS policies and safe work practices
Integrating EHS into funding, prioritizing, planning, scheduling and implementation of work conducted under their purview
Ensure that Work Planning and Control activities are in place, accurate, active and properly maintained for applicable work
Ensuring appropriate hazard assessments and exposure assessments are conducted
Ensure that workers have completed all required training and are authorized to perform work
Ensuring appropriate controls are available and used
Assigning and authorizing workers to perform work
Performing ISM daily
Providing workers with SDS upon request
Ensure equipment and containers are properly labeled and that hazards are controlled
Review Lessons Learned prior to chemical procurement and use
Determine if substitution with less hazardous chemicals, equipment, or techniques is an option
Determine if borrowing/sharing a chemical is an option
When purchasing, keep working quantities to the minimum amount required
Investigate accidents and near misses involving hazardous materials
Ensure that corrective actions identified from accident investigations and laboratory/shop inspections are implemented
Safe and compliant waste requisition

Mandate training requirements for workers under their activities
Commit resources to ensure appropriate safety controls are available so work can be performed safely
Address safety performance deficiencies for activities they lead
Delegate worker qualification tasks including OJT to a qualified individual such as an Activity Lead Designee

Role: Managers and Supervisors

For the CHSP, Manager and Supervisors refers to individuals using chemicals who are their direct reports or are working under their supervision (“their staff”). Managers and Supervisors may include Principal Investigators and HR work leads and may be referred to as “line management.” For the CHSP, Manager and Supervisors RA2s focus only on their direct reports. Managers and Supervisors may have additional roles under this Plan, such as Project Lead or Activity Lead and have additional RA2’s through those roles.

Accountable for:

Responsible for:

Authority to:

Direct report’s work authorization
Direct report’s work performance
Ensure safe and compliant disposal of chemicals owned by direct reports
Ensure direct reports complete chemical inventory transition per LBNL’s policy upon their departure or address any deficiencies

Ensure their staff are properly authorized and performing work under approved work activities
Ensuring their staff are provided the education, training and practice necessary to safely perform that work and are properly qualified to perform the work
Approving worker participation on Risk Level 3 (high risk) work activities
Safe and compliant waste requisition

Commit and pay for training and skills-building resources for their staff
Refuse work for which their staff is not qualified to perform
Correct their staff’s performance deficiencies

Role: Designated Responsible Individual

A Designated Responsible Individual may be assigned specific responsibilities by a Project Lead or Activity Lead to assist with chemical management. Accountability however remains with the role assigning the responsibilities.

Accountable for:

Responsible for:

Authority to:

Following policies and procedures in the ES&H Manual
Following guidelines and instructions provided in applicable WPC activities

Acting within the bounds of the responsibilities assigned to them

Refuse work for which they are not qualified to perform

Additional Roles and Responsibilities

Role	Responsibilities
Division directors	Provide resources to line managers to identify, evaluate, and control chemical hazards associated with existing and proposed work performed within their divisions Ensure that the division will integrate the Environment/Health/Safety (EHS) Division into day-to-day operations. This extends throughout the period of occupancy and when vacating or transferring Laboratory space. Report EHS concerns from division employees that should be addressed Investigate accidents thoroughly and implement corrective action to prevent recurrence Identify violations of codes and safety standards by reviews or inspections and correct in a timely manner
Area safety leaders	Control the Technical Area and coordinate safety issues within the Area Coordinate with supervisors, managers, and work leads to assure that the hazards associated with their operations are reflected on the entrance placard
Environment/Health/Safety (EHS) Division	The EHS Division will: Provide support and guidance for the development and implementation of this CHSP Provide the resources necessary for planning, developing, and implementing the CHSP Provide administrative support for managing EHS training and information programs Provide guidance to line managers for maintaining chemical inventories Maintain the site-wide Chemical Management System Maintain the Work Planning and Control Database The Laboratory’s Chemical Hygiene Officer/Deputy Chemical Hygiene Officer will: Serve as the Chemical Hygiene and Safety Program Manager (CHSP Manager) Consult with the Laboratory community on the development and implementation of chemical hygiene and safety policies and practices Develop and maintain the CHSP Consult with the Procurement Department and EHS subject matter experts for identifying and maintaining a list of restricted items requiring review or approval prior to procurement Maintain chemical hygiene and safety information resources such as Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and other online chemical safety databases and make them available to the Laboratory community Develop, maintain, and present CHSP training (EHS0348) Consult with the EHS Training Group to develop and maintain online CHSP training Develop and implement the Laboratory’s Technical Assurance and Assessment Program for chemical hygiene and safety, including management of the Laboratory and Technical Area Safety Survey Program Review the effectiveness of the CHSP annually Health and Safety Representatives will: Support the CHSP Manager in implementing the provisions of this plan Assist work leads in performing and documenting hazard assessments for existing and planned operations, including Laboratory moves and decommissioning Provide guidance for establishing administrative, work practice, PPE, and engineering controls. This includes writing hazard assessments for respirator protection and providing input for Activity Hazard Documents. Serve as subject matter experts and as program managers in their assigned areas Perform and document exposure monitoring to determine employee exposures to hazardous materials and to evaluate the adequacy of controls. This includes notifying affected employees of monitoring results. Review the procurement and use of restricted items and other hazardous materials to assist work leads in developing controls Provide Health Services with employee exposure monitoring data and medical referrals Upon request, assist line managers in developing and providing hazard-specific training Carry out the Mercury Thermometer Exchange Program Health Services will: Provide medical consultation and examinations for individuals who are exposed or potentially exposed to hazardous materials Provide consultation to women of childbearing age with respect to reproductive toxins The Fire Department will: Respond to spills and other emergencies involving hazardous materials Provide Fire Extinguisher Safety Training (EHS520) Waste Management will: Assist Transportation Services by transporting previously opened containers of hazardous materials Remove time-sensitive materials (such as peroxide-forming chemicals) from work areas upon request and ensure that they are tested and disposed of properly Operational Support Team will: Establish processes to convey to construction and non-construction subcontractors the following hazard communication information: The CHSP describes the hazardous material labeling system and has a link to access the SDS database. The CHSP may be accessed from the Laboratory’s A-Z Index. The EHS Training Group will: Assist the CHSP Manager in developing and maintaining the online Chemical Hygiene and Safety Training (EHS0348) refresher courses and tests. Provide support for administering CHSP training
Chemical Safety Subcommittee	A subcommittee of the Safety Advisory Committee (SAC). The SAC performs research for and makes recommendations to the Laboratory Director on the development and implementation of Environment, Safety & Health (ES&H) policy, guidelines, codes and regulatory interpretation
Procurement Department	Maintains a restricted items list and a Procurement Item Categories List in consultation with the EHS Division Ensures that requesters, preparers, and buyers adhere to the Laboratory’s hazardous-material procurement procedures Notifies EHS of restricted-item purchases. Obtains EHS approval for purchases of restricted items that require such approval Provides the Research Support Team with hazardous-material procurement reports, upon request
Facilities Division	Coordinates laboratory demolition, construction, and renovation activities with EHS to ensure that proper design review and approval are performed and that work areas and equipment meet current requirements, specifications, standards, and codes Adheres to applicable design criteria and standards as defined by the Laboratory’s Work Smart Standards, Facilities specifications, and Facility Installation Details. Coordinates with current space occupants to ensure that all chemicals, radiological materials, and wastes are removed and that all visible residues are cleaned before demolition, construction, or renovation activities are initiated. Specific requirements are delineated in Work Process U Ensures that newly installed or refurbished laboratory control and emergency equipment (e.g., ventilation systems, detectors, shutoff devices, and emergency eyewash and safety showers) is designed, installed, commissioned, and function-tested in accordance with applicable codes and guidance provided by EHS Maintains a proactive preventive-maintenance program to ensure that laboratory control and emergency equipment (e.g., ventilation systems, detectors, shutoff devices, and emergency eyewash and safety showers) is in proper operating condition in accordance with applicable codes and guidance provided by EHS Informs on-site construction/equipment contractors of the presence and identity of hazardous materials in their immediate work areas Notifies building occupants of testing, demolition, construction, and renovation activities and their related hazards prior to initiation Provides project oversight to ensure that contractors are employing applicable EHS controls. This includes but is not limited to ensuring that contractors: Provide the Laboratory with a Health and Safety Plan for all activities conducted on site Provide the Laboratory with SDSs for all hazardous materials brought on site. This provision must also be included in the contractor’s health and safety plan.
Transportation Services	Ensures that hazardous materials are transported in accordance with federal, state, and local requirements as delineated in the Transporting Hazardous Materials program (EH&S Chapter 54). Ensures that all hazardous materials received at Berkeley Lab are safely delivered to requesters. NOTE: Time-sensitive materials such as overnight shipments that require refrigeration will be promptly delivered to recipients. Transports hazardous materials associated with laboratory moves and relocations Moves and relocates equipment for requesters Provides guidance to Laboratory personnel for off-site shipment of hazardous materials in accordance with Department of Transportation requirements Ensures the proper storage and handling of chemicals awaiting delivery Requests guidance from EHS for items requiring special handling Ensures that contractors who provide moving or transportation services are familiar with the hazards of the materials they must handle

45.6 Definitions

Term	Definition
Action level	A concentration designated in Title 8, California Code of Regulations for a specific substance, calculated as an eight-hour time-weighted average, that initiates certain required activities such as exposure monitoring and medical surveillance
Acute effect	Symptom of exposure to a hazardous material that appears soon after a short-term exposure, coming quickly to a crisis
Acute exposure	A single, brief exposure to a large dose of a toxic substance. Adverse health effects are evident soon after exposure.
Acute toxicity	Adverse biological effects of a single dose of a toxic agent
Aerosol	A suspension of fine solid or liquid particles in air (e.g., paint spray, mist, fog)
Allergen	A type of antigen that produces an abnormally vigorous immune response in which the immune system fights off a perceived threat that would otherwise be harmless to the body
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)	A voluntary membership organization of professional industrial hygiene personnel in governmental or educational institutions. The ACGIH develops and publishes recommended occupational exposure limits each year called threshold limit values (TLVs) for hundreds of chemicals, physical agents, and biological exposure indices (BEIs) to assess worker exposure.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)	A privately funded, voluntary organization that develops standards for the safe design and operation of equipment and safe practices or procedures for industry
Anesthetic	A chemical that causes drowsiness. Large doses of anesthetic chemicals can cause unconsciousness, coma, and death.
Asphyxiant	A chemical vapor or gas that replaces air and can cause death by suffocation. Asphyxiants are especially hazardous in confined spaces.
Biological exposure index (BEI)	Guidance values established by the ACGIH for assessing biological monitoring results from specimens (such as urine or blood). A BEI is an index of an individual’s uptake of a chemical specimen collected from a healthy worker who has been exposed to chemicals to the same extent as workers with inhalation at the TLV.
Boiling point	The temperature at which the vapor pressure of a liquid equals atmospheric pressure or at which the liquid changes to a vapor. The boiling point is usually expressed in degrees Fahrenheit. If a flammable material has a low boiling point, it indicates a special fire hazard.
Carcinogen	A chemical or physical agent that is known or suspected to cause neoplasms (tumors) in humans and/or animals. See “Select carcinogen” in the glossary for criteria to determine the carcinogenic potential of chemicals.
Cardiac	Refers to the heart
CAS Registry number	Identifies a particular chemical by a number assigned by the Chemical Abstracts Service, a service of the American Chemical Society that indexes and compiles abstracts of worldwide chemical literature called Chemical Abstracts
cc	Cubic centimeter. A metric-system volume measurement equal to a milliliter (ml). One quart is about 946 cc (946 ml).
Ceiling limit	The maximum allowable exposure limit for an airborne chemical, which is not to be exceeded even momentarily. See also PEL and TLV.
Central nervous system	The part of the body made up of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves
Chemical	As broadly applied to the chemical industry, an element or a compound produced by chemical reactions on a large scale for either direct industrial and consumer use or for reaction with other chemicals
Chemical family	Chemicals with similar structural characteristics are grouped into a chemical family (e.g., ketones, alcohols, hydrocarbons)
Chemical Hygiene Officer	A person designated by the employer who is qualified, by training or experience, to provide technical guidance in the development and implementation of the provisions of the Chemical Hygiene and Safety Plan
Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP)	A written program developed and implemented by the employer, which sets forth procedures, equipment, personal protective equipment and work practices that are capable of protecting employees from the health hazards presented by hazardous chemicals used in the particular workplace.
Chemical Hygiene and Safety Plan (CHSP)	The written Web-based program developed by Berkeley Lab to comply with the Cal/OSHA Laboratory Standard. The CHSP addresses all elements of the Cal/OSHA-mandated Chemical Hygiene Plan and provides further information specific to Berkeley Lab.
Chemical Management System (CMS)	LBNL’s site-wide chemical inventory for providing chemical users, EHS staff, and emergency response teams accurate and up-to-date lists of chemicals stored on site.
Chemical reaction	A change in the arrangement of atoms or molecules to yield substances of different composition and properties (see reactivity)
Chronic effect	Symptom of exposure to a hazardous material that develops slowly after many exposures or that recurs often
Chronic exposure	Repeated exposure or contact with a toxic substance over a long period. Adverse biological effects from chronic exposure develop slowly, last a long time, and frequently recur.
Chronic toxicity	Adverse biological effect of repeated doses or long-term exposure to a toxic agent
Combustible	A substance that will burn
Combustible liquid	Any liquid having a flashpoint at or above 100°F (37.8°C), but below 200°F (93.3 °C), except any mixture having components with flashpoints of 200°F (93.3°C), or higher, the total volume of which make up 99% or more of the total volume of the mixture
Concentration	The relative amount of a given substance present when mixed with another substance(s). Concentration is often expressed as parts per million (ppm), percent, or weight per unit volume, e.g., milligrams/cubic meter (mg/m³).
Corrosive	A chemical that causes visible destruction of or irreversible changes in living tissue by chemical action at the site of contact, or that has a severe corrosion rate on structural materials
Decomposition	The breakdown of a material into simpler compounds by chemical reaction, decay, heat, or other processes
Density	The mass of a substance per unit volume. The density of a liquid is usually compared with water, which has a unit density of 1; the density of a gas is usually compared with air. Substances that float on water have densities of less than 1; substances that sink in water have densities greater than 1.
Department of Transportation (DOT)	The U.S. federal agency that regulates the labeling and transportation of hazardous materials
Dermal	Refers to the skin
Dermatitis	An inflammation of the skin that can be caused by irritation (chemical, physical, or mechanical) or allergic reaction
Designated area	An area that may be used for work with particularly hazardous substances including select carcinogens, reproductive toxins, or substances that have a high degree of acute toxicity. A designated area may be the entire room, an area within a room, or a device such as a fume hood or glove box.
Dilution ventilation	See general ventilation.
Dose	The amount of a substance received during exposure. See mg/kg.
Dyspnea	Shortness of breath; difficult or labored breathing
Environment, Health, and Safety Division (EHS)	Berkeley Lab’s Environment, Health, and Safety Division
Epidemiology	The branch of medical science that deals with the incidence, distribution, and control of disease in a population
Erythema	A reddening of the skin
Evaporation rate	The rate at which a material is converted to vapor (evaporates) at a given temperature and pressure when compared with the evaporation rate of a reference material (e.g., butyl acetate). Health and fire hazard evaluations of materials involve consideration of evaporation rates as one aspect of the evaluation.
Explosive	A chemical that causes a sudden, almost instantaneous release of pressure, gas, and heat when subjected to sudden shock, pressure, or high temperature
°F	Degrees, Fahrenheit; a temperature scale
Flammable	A chemical that falls into one of the following categories:”Aerosol, flammable” is an aerosol that, when tested by the method described in 16 CFR 1500.45, yields a flame projection exceeding 18 inches at full valve opening, or a flashback (a flame extending back to the valve) at any degree of valve opening“Gas, flammable” is a material that is a gas at 68°F (20°C) or less at 14.7 pounds per square inch atmosphere (psia) (101 kPa) of pressure (a material that has a boiling point of 68°F (20°C) or less at 14.7 psia [101 kPa]) which:Is ignitable at 14.7 psia (101 kPa) when in a mixture of 13% or less by volume with air; orHas a flammable range at 14.7 psia (101 kPa) with air of at least 12%, regardless of the lower limitThe limits specified shall be determined at 14.7 psi (101 kPa) of pressure and a temperature of 68°F (20°C) in accordance with ASTM E 681.”Liquid, flammable” means any liquid having a flashpoint below 100°F (37.8°C), except any mixture having components with flashpoints of 100°F (37.8°C) or higher, the total of which make up 99% or more of the total volume of the mixture”Solid, flammable” means a solid, other than a blasting agent or explosive as defined in 1910.109(a), that is liable to cause fire through friction, absorption of moisture, spontaneous chemical change, or retained heat from manufacturing or processing, or that can be ignited readily and when ignited burns so vigorously and persistently as to create a serious hazard. A chemical is considered to be a flammable solid if, when tested by the method described in 16 CFR 1500.44, it ignites and burns with a self-sustained flame at a rate greater than one-tenth of an inch per second along its major axis.
Flammable liquid	A liquid having a flashpoint below 100°F (37.8°C), except any mixture having components with flashpoints of 100°F (37.8°C) or higher, the total of which make up 99% or more of the total volume of the mixture
Flash point	The minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off a vapor in sufficient concentration to ignite
Formula, chemical	A representation of a substance using symbols for its constituent elements: Water is H₂O; hydrochloric acid is HCl.
Fume hood	A ventilation device composed of an enclosure on five sides with a movable sash on the remaining side. Fume hoods are constructed and maintained to draw air from the open side in order to prevent or minimize the escape of air contaminants into the work area. This device allows chemical manipulations to be conducted in the enclosure without insertion of any portion of the employee’s body other than hands and arms.
g/kg	See grams per kilogram.
General ventilation	Also known as general exhaust ventilation and dilution ventilation. Fresh air mixes with contaminants in the workroom air and is then exhausted (see local exhaust ventilation)
GHS -Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling	A standardized method to classify chemical hazards to communicate them through Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and container labels. GHS is intended to be used worldwide. The system has been adopted by the Cal/OSHA Hazard Communication Standard.
Gram (g)	A metric unit of weight. One ounce equals 28.4 grams.
Grams per kilogram (g/kg)	The dose of a substance given to test animals in toxicity studies. For example, a dose may be 2 grams (of substance) per kilogram of body weight (of the experimental animal).
Hazard warning	The words, pictures, and symbols, or combinations thereof, that appear on a label and indicate the hazards of the substance in the container
Hazardous chemical	A hazardous chemical is any chemical classified as a health hazard or a physical hazard:Health Hazard: is a chemical posing one of the following hazardous effects: acute toxicity (any route of exposure); skin corrosion or irritation; serious eye damage or eye irritation; respiratory or skin sensitization; germ cell mutagenicity; carcinogenicity; reproductive toxicity; specific target organ toxicity (single or repeated exposure); or aspiration hazard.Physical Hazard: is a chemical posing one of the following hazardous effects: explosive; flammable (gases, aerosols, liquids, or solids); oxidizer (liquid, solid or gas); self-reactive; pyrophoric (liquid or solid); self-heating; organic peroxide; corrosive to metal; gas under pressure; or in contact with water emits flammable gas.
Hazardous material	Any substance or compound that has the capability of producing adverse effects on the health and safety of humans. This term is used interchangeably with hazardous chemical.
Health hazard	A health hazard is a chemical posing one of the following hazardous effects: acute toxicity (any route of exposure); skin corrosion or irritation; serious eye damage or eye irritation; respiratory or skin sensitization; germ cell mutagenicity; carcinogenicity; reproductive toxicity; specific target organ toxicity (single or repeated exposure); or aspiration hazard
Health and Safety Representative	An EHS Division industrial hygienist or safety professional assigned to provide support to research or operation divisions.
Hematopoietic system	The blood-forming organs of the body, including bone marrow and the spleen
Hepatotoxin	A chemical that can cause liver damage (e.g., carbon tetrachloride)
Highly toxic chemical	A chemical falling within any of the following categories:A chemical that has a median lethal dose (LD₅₀) of 50 milligrams or less per kilogram of body weight when administered orally to albino rats weighing between 200 and 300 grams eachA chemical that has an LD₅₀ of 200 milligrams or less per kilogram of body weight when administered by continuous contact for 24 hours (or less if death occurs within 24 hours) on the bare skin of albino rabbits weighing between 2 and 3 kilograms eachA chemical that has a median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) in air of 200 parts per million by volume or less of gas or vapor, or 2 milligrams per liter or less of mist, fume, or dust, when administered by continuous inhalation for one hour (or less if death occurs within one hour) to albino rats weighing between 200 and 300 grams each
Ignitable	A solid, liquid, or compressed gas that has a flashpoint of less than 140°F
Ignition temperature	The lowest temperature at which a substance will ignite and continue to burn. The lower the ignition temperature, the more likely the substance is to be a fire hazard.
Incompatible	The term applied to two substances to indicate that one material cannot be mixed with the other without the possibility of a dangerous reaction
Ingestion	Taking a material into the body through the mouth and swallowing it
Inhalation	Breathing in of airborne substances that may be in the form of gases, fumes, mists, vapors, dusts, or aerosols
Inhibitor	A substance added to another to prevent an undesirable chemical reaction
International Agency for Research on Cancer( IARC )	Publishes monographs on the evaluation of the carcinogenic risk of chemicals to humans, which are used to determine the cancer risk of a chemical
Irritant	A non corrosive chemical that causes a reversible inflammatory effect on living tissue including the skin, eyes, nose, or respiratory system by chemical action at the site of contact. A chemical is a skin irritant if, when tested on the intact skin of albino rabbits by the methods of 16 CFR 1500.41 for four hours exposure or by other appropriate techniques, it results in an empirical score of five or more. A chemical is an eye irritant if so determined under the procedure listed in 16 CFR 1500.42 or other appropriate techniques.
Lacrimation	Abnormal or excessive production of tears as a result of exposure of the eyes to an irritant
Lethal concentration 50(LC₅₀)	The concentration of a substance in air that will kill half (50%) of the exposed test animals. A measure of acute toxicity.
Lethal dose 50 (LD₅₀)	The dose of a substance that will kill half (50%) of the treated test animals when given as a single dose. A measure of acute toxicity.
Local exhaust ventilation	A ventilation method for removing contaminated air at the point where the contaminants are generated (e.g., a fume hood)
Lower explosive limit (LEL) or Lower flammable limit (LFL)	The lowest concentration of a substance that will produce a fire or flash when an ignition source (flame, spark, etc.) is present. It is expressed in percent of vapor or gas in the air by volume. Below the LEL or LFL, the air/contaminant mixture is theoretically too “lean” to burn (see also upper explosive limit).
m³	Cubic meter. A volume measurement in the metric system. One m³ is about 45.3 cubic feet, or 1.3 cubic yards.
Mechanical exhaust	A powered device, e.g., a motor-driven fan, that removes contaminants from a work area or enclosure
Melting point	The temperature at which a solid changes to a liquid. A melting range may be given for mixtures.
mg/kg	Milligrams per kilogram. A term used in experimental testing to indicate the dose of a test substance, in milligrams, that was given for each kilogram of body weight of the test animal.
mg/m³	Milligrams per cubic meter. A way of expressing the concentration of dusts, gases, aerosols, or mists in the air.
Milligram (mg)	A unit of weight in the metric system. One thousand milligrams equals one gram.
Milliliter (ml)	A metric unit used to measure capacity. One milliliter equals one cubic centimeter. One thousand milliliters equals one liter.
Mist	A suspension in air of finely divided particles of liquid
Mucous membrane	A protective lining of cells found, for example, in the mouth, throat, nose, and other parts of the respiratory system
Mutagen	A substance capable of causing damage to genes and chromosomes, particularly those of sperm or egg cells, resulting in mutations
Mutation	A genetic alteration that can be inherited, thus affecting future generations
Narcosis	A state of deep unconsciousness caused by the influence of a drug or other chemical
National Toxicology Program( NTP )	Publishes the biennial Report on Carcinogens, listing substances either known or anticipated to be carcinogens
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)	Provides information on fire protection and prevention. The NFPA 704 Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response describes a hazard-warning labeling system that rates the hazard of a material during a fire. The hazards are divided into health, flammability, and reactivity categories and appear in a well-known diamond system using numerals from 0 through 4 to indicate severity of the hazard. Zero indicates no special hazard and 4 indicates severe hazard.NFPA 45 Standard on Fire Protection in Laboratories Using Chemicals provides basic requirements to protect life and property through prevention and control of fires and explosions involving the use of chemicals in laboratory-scale operations.
Nephrotoxin	A chemical that causes kidney damage (e.g., uranium)
Neurotoxin	A chemical whose primary toxic effect is on the nervous system (e.g., carbon disulfide)
Odor threshold	The lowest concentration of a substance’s vapor, in air, that a person can detect by smell. Odor thresholds are highly variable, depending on the individual and the nature of the substance.
Olfactory	Refers to the sense of smell
Oral	Refers to the mouth and route of exposure by ingestion
Organic peroxide	An organic compound that contains the bivalent -O-O- structure and that may be considered a structural derivative of hydrogen peroxide, where one or both of the hydrogen atoms has been replaced by an organic radical
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)	The federal agency that develops and enforces occupational safety and health standards for most industry and business in the United States. OSHA may approve state plans that meet or exceed the stringency of the federal standards, such as Cal/OSHA, the California occupational safety and health standards adopted by the Lab.
Oxidation	A reaction in which a substance combines with oxygen to cause chemical change (e.g., fire). In a broader sense, oxidation is a reaction in which electrons are lost and is accompanied by reduction — a reaction in which electrons are gained.
Oxidizer	A material that causes the ignition of combustible materials without an external source of ignition. When mixed with combustible materials, an oxidizer increases the rate of burning of these materials when the mixtures are ignited. Oxidizers can evolve oxygen, and can therefore support combustion in an oxygen-free atmosphere. They are usually unstable or reactive.
Oxygen deficiency	An atmosphere having less than the normal percentage of oxygen found in normal air. Normal air contains 21% oxygen at sea level.
Permissible exposure limit (PEL)	An exposure limit that is published and enforced by Cal/OSHA as a legal standard. PEL may be either a time-weighted-average (TWA) exposure limit (8-hour), a 15-minute TWA short-term exposure limit (STEL), or a ceiling (C). The PELs are found in Table AC-1 of Cal/OSHA regulation CCR 5155, Airborne Contaminants. (See also TLV). “Skin” notation: This designation sometimes appears alongside a TLV or PEL. It refers to the possibility of absorption of the particular chemical through the skin and eyes. Thus, protection of large surface areas of skin should be considered to prevent skin absorption so that the TLV is not invalidated.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)	Any devices or clothing worn by the worker to protect against hazards in the environment. Examples are respirators, gloves, and chemical splash goggles.
pH	A measure of how acidic or basic (caustic) a substance is on a scale of 1 (very acidic) to 14 (very basic); pH 7 indicates that the substance is neutral
Physical hazard	A physical hazard is a chemical posing one of the following hazardous effects: explosive; flammable (gases, aerosols, liquids, or solids); oxidizer (liquid, solid or gas); self-reactive; pyrophoric (liquid or solid); self-heating; organic peroxide; corrosive to metal; gas under pressure; or in contact with water emits flammable gas.
Polymerization	A chemical reaction in which individual molecules combine to form a single large molecule (a polymer). Hazardous polymerization is an uncontrolled reaction releasing large amounts of energy (heat).
ppb (parts per billion)	A measurement used to express very small concentrations of a given substance present in a mixture. Often used as a unit to measure the parts (by volume) of a gas or vapor in a billion parts of air.
ppm (parts per million)	A measurement used to express very small concentrations of a given substance present in a mixture. Often used as a unit to measure the parts (by volume) of a gas or vapor in a million parts of air.
psi (pounds per square inch)	A unit of pressure measurement used with compressed gases, etc.
Pulmonary	Refers to the lungs.
Pyrophoric	A chemical that can ignite spontaneously in air at or below 130°F
Reactivity	A substance’s susceptibility to undergoing a chemical reaction or change that may result in dangerous side effects, such as explosions, burning, and corrosive or toxic emissions. The conditions that cause the reaction, such as heat, other chemicals, and being dropped, will usually be specified as “Conditions to Avoid” when a chemical’s reactivity is discussed on an SDS.
Reproductive toxins	Chemicals that affect reproductive capabilities, including chromosomal damage (mutations) and effects on fetuses (teratogenesis)
Respirator	A device designed to protect the wearer from inhaling harmful contaminants
Respiratory hazard	An airborne contaminant that, when it enters the body via inhalation, has an adverse health effect
Respiratory protective equipment	Air-cleaning or air-supply respirators that protect against toxic materials in the air
Route of entry	The means by which a toxic substance enters the body. For example, absorption through the skin, inhalation, ingestion. May also be called mode of entry.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)	A Safety Data Sheet (formerly Material Safety Data Sheets) is a manufacturer/importer’s informational document produced for a chemical that describes its hazards, chemical and physical properties, and recommended precautions for handling and storage
Safety line managers/management	Supervisors, managers, and work leads are part of the safety line management chain from each worker to the Laboratory Director. Supervisors and managers are part of the formal management chain, and they have the responsibility for adhering to all EHS policies and safe work practices. Work leads (who may be non-management) derive authority from formal laboratory managers and/or supervisors to ensure that day-to-day work, operations, and activities in their assigned area(s) and activities are conducted safely and within established work authorizations. Supervisors, managers and work leads are collectively referred to as “safety line managers.”
Secondary container	A container into which personnel transfer material from the vendor- supplied container
Select carcinogen	Any substance that meets one of the following criteria:It is regulated by Cal/OSHA as a carcinogenIt is listed under the category, “known to be carcinogens,” in the biennial Report on Carcinogens published by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) (latest edition)It is listed under Group 1 (“carcinogenic to humans”) in the monographs published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) (latest editions)It is listed in either Group 2A or 2B by IARC or under the category, “reasonably anticipated to be carcinogens” by NTP, and causes statistically significant tumor incidence in experimental animals in accordance with any of the following criteria:After inhalation exposure of 6-7 hours per day, 5 days per week, for a significant portion of a lifetime to dosages of less than 10 mg/m3;After repeated skin application of less than 300 mg/kg of body weight per week; orAfter oral dosages of less than 50 mg/kg of body weight per day.
Sensitizer	A chemical that causes a substantial proportion of exposed people or animals to develop an allergic reaction in normal tissue after a single or repeated exposure. Once an individual is sensitized, a future exposure to the agent in lower amounts than the original exposure will result in an allergic response.
Short-term exposure limit (STEL)	Represented as STEL or TLV-STEL, the maximum concentration to which workers can be exposed for a short period of time (15 minutes) for only four times throughout the day with at least one hour between exposures. The daily TLV-TWA must not be exceeded.
Solubility in water	Indicates the amount, in %, of a substance that will dissolve in water. Solubility information is important for determining spill-cleanup and fire fighting procedures.
Solvent	A liquid that dissolves other substances. Some common solvents are water, alcohol, and mineral spirits.
Suspect carcinogen	A substance that might cause cancer in humans but has not yet been proven to do so
Synonym	Another name by which a chemical is known. For example, synonyms for methyl alcohol are methanol and wood alcohol.
Systemic	Spread throughout the body; affecting many or all body systems or organs; not localized in one spot or area
Systemic poison	A substance that has a toxic effect upon several organ systems of the body
Target organ effects	Effects on specific organs of the body caused by exposure to a hazardous chemical
Teratogen	An agent or substance that may cause physical defects in the developing embryo or fetus when a pregnant female is exposed to that substance
Technical area	Generally include laboratories, shops, workrooms, and similar areas. Offices, conference rooms, food preparation and consumption areas such as the cafeteria, kitchenettes, and break rooms are generally not Technical Areas.
Threshold limit value (TLV)	Airborne concentrations of substances devised by the ACGIH that represent conditions under which it is believed that nearly all workers may be exposed day after day with no adverse effect. TLVs are advisory exposure guidelines, not legal standards, that are based on evidence from industrial experience, animal studies, or human studies, when they exist. There are three types of TLVs:Time-weighted average (TLV-TWA)Short-term exposure limit (TLV-STEL)Ceiling (TLV-C)(See also PEL.) “SKIN” notation: This designation sometimes appears alongside a TLV or PEL. It refers to the possibility of absorption of the particular chemical through the skin and eyes. Thus, protection of large surface areas of skin should be considered to prevent skin absorption so that the TLV is not invalidated.
Threshold limit value-ceiling (TLV-C)	The maximum concentration of a toxic substance for which exposure is allowed. This limit is not to be exceeded, even momentarily. The TWA must still be observed.
Time-weighted average (TWA)	The exposure limit averaged over a normal 8-hour workday or 40-hour workweek
Toxic substance	A substance that causes harmful biological effects after either short-term or long-term exposure. See “highly toxic” in this glossary.
Toxicity	A relative measure of the adverse biological effects that can result from exposure to a harmful substance. See “highly toxic” in this glossary.
Trade name	The commercial name or trademark by which a chemical is known. One chemical may have a variety of trade names, depending on the manufacturers or distributors involved.
Unstable (reactive)	A chemical if it vigorously polymerizes, decomposes, condenses, or undergoes other undesirable chemical changes during normal handling or storage
Upper explosive limit (UEL) or Upper flammable limit (UFL)	The concentration of a substance above which an ignition source (flame, spark, etc.) will not create a flame or explosion. Above this level, the air/contaminant mixture is too “rich” to burn (see also LEL/LFL).
Vapor	The gas given off by a liquid or solid at room temperature
Ventilation	Circulation and exchange of air and the method by which this is accomplished
Vertigo	A state of dizziness, and possibly disorientation
Viscosity	A term used to describe the rate at which a liquid flows or pours. A very viscous liquid, like molasses, flows slowly.
Volatile	A term used for a liquid that evaporates at room temperature. Very volatile liquids, such as gasoline, form vapors (evaporate) quickly and are a breathing hazard.
Water-reactive	Term applied to a chemical that reacts with water to release a flammable or toxic gas
Work leads	Employees (who may be non management) who derive authority from formal Laboratory managers and/or supervisors to ensure that day-to-day work, operations, and activities in their assigned area(s) and activities are conducted safely and within established work authorizations

45.7 Required Work Processes

View Chapter 45.7 Chemical Hygiene and Safety Plan – Work Processes.

45.8 Source Requirements

8 CCR 5194, Hazard Communication Standard
8 CCR 5191, Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories
10 CFR 851.21, Worker Safety and Health Program (Hazard Identification and Assessment)
DOE Order 456.1A, The Safe Handling of Unbound Engineered Nanoparticles
NFPA 45, Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals

45.9 Reference Documents

Document number	Title	Type
07.01.001.001	General ES&H Requirements, Responsibilities, and Work Practices	Program
07.04.001.001	Environment, Health, and Safety (EH&S) Training	Program
07.02.003.001	Work Planning and Control	Program
07.01.004.001	sJHA Process – Subcontractor Job Hazards Analysis	Program

45.10 Appendices

Appendix A. Regulations

The purpose of LBNL’s Chemical Hygiene and Safety Plan is to establish procedures to protect employees from the hazards of the chemicals in their work area. This is also a legal requirement mandated by California Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards, including The Hazard Communication Standard, and the Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories Standard.

Hazard Communication Standard (8 CCR 5194)

The Cal/OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is intended to reduce the incidence of chemically related occupational illnesses and injuries. The Standard establishes the minimum requirements that employers must adhere to for communicating hazards to workers. This standard is often referred to as the “worker right-to-know” standard.

The scope of the HCS applies more directly to shop, trade, and craft personnel (i.e., Facilities).

Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories Standard (Lab Standard) (8 CCR 5191)

Laboratory workers are protected by a related but different Cal/OSHA regulation, “Occupational Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories.”

The “Lab Standard” relies on the technical judgment of line management to inform all people who work in their laboratories of the steps to protect themselves from hazardous exposures to chemicals in the laboratory and what to do if an exposure should occur.

Employers must develop and implement a “Chemical Hygiene Plan.” This plan is a description of the facilities, rules, procedures and policies of the Laboratory that are directed at minimizing employee exposures to hazardous chemicals during normal operations and during unplanned events such as chemical spills. Additional information on chemical hygiene and prudent laboratory practices may be found in 8 CCR 5191, Appendix A.

Appendix B. Chemical Toxicology Overview

Definitions

Toxicology is the study of the nature and action of poisons.

Toxicity is the ability of a chemical substance or compound to produce injury once it reaches a susceptible site in, or on, the body.

A material’s hazard potential is the probability that injury will occur after consideration of the conditions under which the substance is used.

Dose-Response Relationships

The potential toxicity (harmful action) inherent in a substance is exhibited only when that substance comes in contact with a living biological system. The potential toxic effect increases as the exposure increases. All chemicals will exhibit a toxic effect given a large enough dose. The toxic potency of a chemical is thus ultimately defined by the dose (the amount) of the chemical that will produce a specific response in a specific biological system.

Routes of Entry into the Body

There are four main routes by which hazardous chemicals enter the body:

Absorption through the respiratory tract via inhalation.
Absorption through the skin via dermal contact. OSHA provides a resource identifying chemicals noted for their “skin-absorbing” properties.
Absorption through the digestive tract via ingestion. (Ingestion can occur through eating or smoking with contaminated hands or in contaminated work areas.)
Absorption through percutaneous challenge (syringe needle or broken glass).This is possible but not a common route of exposure in chemical laboratories. However, needle sticks are significant routes of exposure in biomedical, health care and radiological work.

Most exposure standards, such as the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs), are based on the inhalation route of exposure. These limits are normally expressed in terms of either parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3) concentration in air. If a significant route of exposure for a substance is through skin contact, the PEL and/or TLV on the SDS will have a “skin” notation. Examples of substances where skin-absorption may be a significant factor include: pesticides, carbon disulfide, carbon tetrachloride, dioxane, methanol, acetonitrile, mercury, thallium compounds, xylene, and hydrogen cyanide.

Types of Effects

An acute effect is characterized by sudden and severe exposure and rapid absorption of the substance. Normally, a single large exposure is involved. Adverse health effects are often reversible.

Examples: carbon monoxide or cyanide poisoning.

A chronic effect is characterized by prolonged or repeated exposures of a duration measured in days, months or years. Symptoms may not be immediately apparent. Health effects are often irreversible. Examples: lead or mercury poisoning.
A local effect refers to an adverse health effect that takes place at the point or area of contact (skin, the respiratory tract, eyes, etc.). Absorption does not necessarily occur.

Examples: strong acids or alkalis.

A systemic effect refers to an adverse health effect that takes place at a location distant from the body’s initial point of contact and presupposes absorption has taken place.

Examples: arsenic affects the blood, nervous system, liver, kidneys and skin; benzene affects bone marrow.

Cumulative poisons build up in the body as a result of numerous chronic exposures. The effects are not apparent until a critical point is reached.

Example: heavy metals.

Synergistic effect: When two or more hazardous materials are present at the same time, the resulting effect can be greater than the effect anticipated based on the cumulative effect of the individual substances. This is also called “potentiating effect.”

Example: exposure to alcohol and chlorinated solvents; or smoking and asbestos.

Other Factors Affecting Toxicity

Rate of entry and route of exposure; that is, how fast the toxic dose is delivered and by what means.
Age can affect the capacity to repair tissue damage.
Previous exposure can lead to tolerance, increased sensitivity or make no difference.
State of health, physical condition and lifestyle can affect the toxic response.
Pre-existing disease can result in increased sensitivity.
Environmental factors such as temperature and pressure.
Host factors including genetic predisposition and the sex of the exposed individual.

Physical Classifications

A gas is a substance that conforms to the shape of a container in which it is held and acquires a uniform density inside the container. It exists in the gaseous state at room temperature and pressure.

A vapor is the gaseous phase of a material that is ordinarily a solid or a liquid at room temperature and pressure.

Solubility is the property of a solid, liquid or a gaseous substance to dissolve in a solvent. When considering the toxicity of gases and vapors, the solubility of the substance is a key factor. Highly soluble materials, like ammonia, irritate the upper respiratory tract. On the other hand, relatively insoluble materials, like nitrogen dioxide, penetrate deep into the lung. Fat-soluble materials, like pesticides, tend to be retained longer in the body and have a cumulative effect.

An aerosol is composed of solid or liquid particles of microscopic size dispersed in a gaseous medium.

The toxic potential of an aerosol is only partially described by its airborne concentration. For a proper assessment of the toxic hazard, the size of the aerosol’s particles must be determined. A particle’s size will determine whether a particle is deposited within the respiratory system and the location of deposition. Particles above 10 micrometers tend to be deposited in the nose and other areas of the upper respiratory tract. Below 10 micrometers, particles enter and are deposited in the lung. Very small particles (<0.2 micrometers) are generally not deposited but exhaled.

Physiological Classifications of Chemicals

Chemicals and hazardous materials can be classified according to the effect they have on individuals.

Irritants

Irritants are materials that cause inflammation of mucous membranes with which they come in contact. Inflammation of tissue results from exposure to concentrations far below those needed to cause corrosion.

Examples include:

Ammonia
Alkaline dusts and mists
Arsenic trichloride
Diethyl/dimethyl sulfate
Halogens
Hydrogen chloride
Hydrogen fluoride
Nitrogen dioxide
Ozone
Phosgene
Phosphorus chlorides

Irritants can also cause changes in the mechanics of respiration and lung function.

Examples include:

Acetic acid
Acrolein
Formaldehyde
Formic acid
Iodine
Sulfur dioxide
Sulfuric acid

Long-term exposure to irritants can result in increased mucous secretions and chronic bronchitis.

A primary irritant exerts no systemic toxic action, either because the products formed on the tissue of the respiratory tract are nontoxic or because the irritant action is far in excess of any systemic toxic action.

Example: hydrogen chloride.

A secondary irritant’s effect on mucous membranes is overshadowed by a systemic effect resulting from absorption.

Examples include:

Alcohols
Aromatic hydrocarbons
Asphyxiants have the ability to deprive tissue of oxygen.
Halogenated hydrocarbons
Hydrogen sulfide

Simple Asphyxiants

Simple asphyxiants are gases that displace oxygen.

Examples include:

Carbon dioxide
Helium
Nitrogen
Argon

Chemical Asphyxiants

Chemical asphyxiants reduce the body’s ability to absorb, transport, or utilize inhaled oxygen. They are often active at very low concentrations (a few ppm).

Examples include:

· Carbon monoxide

· Cyanides

· Hydrogen sulfide

Primary Anesthetics

Primary anesthetics have a depressant effect upon the central nervous system, particularly the brain.

Examples include:

Diethyl ether
Chloroform

Hepatotoxic Agents

Hepatotoxic agents cause damage to the liver.

Examples include:

Carbon tetrachloride
Nitrosamines
Tetrachloroethane

Nephrotoxic Agents

Nephrotoxic agents damage the kidneys.

Examples include:

Halogenated hydrocarbons
Uranium compounds

Neurotoxic Agents

Neurotoxic agents damage the nervous system.

The nervous system is especially sensitive to organometallic compounds and certain sulfide compounds.

Examples include:

Carbon disulfide
Methyl mercury
Manganese
Organic phosphorus insecticides
Tetraethyl lead
Thallium
Tri-alkyl tin compounds

Hematopoietic System Toxins

Some toxic agents act on the blood or hematopoietic system. The blood cells can be affected directly or the bone marrow (which produces the blood cells) can be damaged.

Examples include:

Aniline
Benzene
Nitrites
Nitrobenzene
Toluidine

Pulmonary Toxins

There are toxic agents that produce damage of the pulmonary tissue (lungs) but not by immediate irritant action. Fibrotic changes can be caused by free silica and asbestos. Other dusts can cause a restrictive disease called pneumoconiosis.

Examples include:

Coal dust
Cotton dust
Wood dust

Carcinogens

A carcinogen is an agent that can initiate or increase the proliferation of malignant neoplastic cells or the development of malignant or potentially malignant tumors.

Known human carcinogens include:

Asbestos
Alpha-naphthylamine
Bis-chloromethyl ether
3,3′-Dichlorobenzidine
Ethylene oxide
N-nitrosodimethylamine
4-nitrobiphenyl
Methyl chloromethyl ether
Inorganic arsenic
1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP)
Coal tar pitch volatiles
Vinyl chloride

Reproductive Toxins (Mutagens and Teratogens)

A mutagen interferes with the proper replication of genetic material (chromosome strands) in exposed cells. If germ cells are involved, the effect may be inherited and become part of the genetic pool passed onto succeeding generations.

A teratogen (embryotoxic or fetotoxic agent) is an agent that interferes with normal embryonic development without causing a lethal effect to the fetus or damage to the mother. Effects are not inherited.

Examples include:

Lead
Thalidomide

Sensitizers

A sensitizer is a chemical that can cause an allergic reaction in normal tissue after repeated exposure to the chemical. The reaction may be as mild as a rash (allergic dermatitis) or as serious as anaphylactic shock.

Examples include:

Chromium compounds
Chlorinated hydrocarbons
Epoxies
Nickel compounds
Poison ivy
Toluene diisocyanate

Appendix C. Carcinogens

Carcinogens

Carcinogens are agents that cause neoplasms (tumors) in humans and/or animals. Below are links to the OSHA Carcinogen Web Site, Cal/OSHA Regulated Carcinogen Standards, and several lists of carcinogens from various sources. These include lists from the National Toxicology Program (NTP) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC):

Appendix E. Odor Threshold Table for Chemicals

This is a respiratory protection guide from 3M Corporation that contains a table of odor thresholds. These start on page 15 of the enclosed PDF document. An odor threshold is the lowest airborne concentration that can be detected by a population of individuals. While odor thresholds can serve as useful warning properties, they must be used cautiously because olfactory perception varies among individuals. Moreover, as the table indicates, some odor threshold concentrations are above their respective Occupational Exposure Limits. For assistance in interpreting these data, contact your Division’s EHS Health and Safety Representative.

3M 2015 Respirator Selection Guide

Appendix D. Reproductive Toxins

Reproductive toxins are chemicals that can damage the reproductive systems of both men and women. Exposure to these agents before conception can produce a wide range of adverse effects including reduced fertility, unsuccessful, an abnormal fetus, reduced libido, or menstrual dysfunction. Maternal exposure after conception may cause perinatal death, low birth weight, birth defects, developmental and/or behavioral disabilities, and cancer.

Reproductive Toxins spreadsheet

Chapter 45 – Chemical Hygiene and Safety Plan

DRAFT

Contents

45.1 Policy

45.2 Scope

45.3 Applicability

45.4 Exceptions

45.5 Roles, Accountabilities, Responsibilities and Authorities

45.6 Definitions

45.7 Required Work Processes

45.8 Source Requirements

45.9 Reference Documents

45.10 Appendices

Appendix A. Regulations

Appendix B. Chemical Toxicology Overview

Appendix C. Carcinogens

Appendix E. Odor Threshold Table for Chemicals

Appendix D. Reproductive Toxins

Chapter 45.7 Chemical Hygiene and Safety Plan - Work Processes