MODULE 2

HAZARDS- PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL

• Hazard- Any situation that has the capability to cause injury or harm to the workers,
damage to the property and loss or contamination to the environment
• Mainly of two types-
• [Link] hazards
o Chemicals can affect skin by contact
o Enters our body either through inhalation or digestive system if air is
contaminated with chemicals, vapor, mist or dust
o Accumulation of chemicals in or on our body will cause acute (immediate) or
(long term) chronic effect
• [Link] hazards
o Caused by biological substances that cause harm to the health of living
organisms
o Sources includes insects, bacteria, fungi, plants, worms, animals and viruses
o Can cause a variety of health effects ranging from skin irritations, allergies to
infection, cancer and so on.
CHEMICAL HAZARDS

• Caused by liquid, dust, fume, mist, vapor and gas

• Modes of entry are-
o Inhalation
o One of the most common ways by which chemicals can enter our body
o Dust, mist, fumes and vapours can be inhaled through your nose and mouth
o It travels into the lungs and begins to cause damage
o Ingestion
o Some hazardous chemicals will be absorbed through the digestive system
o This happens when you have hazardous chemicals on the hands while eating
or smoking
o Its also possible to swallow chemicals if food is left uncovered where there is a
risk of exposure to the chemicals
1. DUST
• Solid particles ranging in size from below 1 micron up to around 100 microns
• May or may not be airborne, depending on the origin, physical characteristics and
ambient conditions
• Types-
o Hazardous dusts are mineral dusts from the extraction and processing of
minerals (This contains silica and is particularly dangerous)
o Metallic dusts such as lead and cadmium and their compounds
o Other chemical dusts such as bulk chemicals and pesticides
o Vegetable dusts such as wood, flour, cotton and tea
SOURCES OF EXPOSURE TO DUST
 • Mining, quarrying, tunnelling, stonemasonry, construction, and any process which
breaks or separates solid material.
• Foundries and other metallurgical processes, especially the cleaning of casting and
breaking of molds.
• Any process using abrasive blasting, such as removal of paint and rust, cleaning of
buildings and small objects, and etching of glass.
DUST CLASSIFICATION

• By diseases-
• Nuisance (does not cause serious diseases)
• Dust that does not contain harmful quantities of asbestos and less than 1% quarts
• Fibro genic (cause serious diseases)
• Contain crystalline silica, asbestos, beryllium
• By size-
• Respirable
• Small enough to penetrate past the upper respiratory tract and deep in to the lungs
• Inhalable
• Enters the body but is trapped inside the nose, throat and upper respiratory tract.
CONTROLLING DUST EXPOSURE- SAFER MACHINERY AND TOOLS

• Fully enclosing dusty processes

• Local exhaust ventilation/Dust collection equipment
• Tools with dust extraction (Vacuum) devices
• Using water to suppress dust
• Operator enclosure with an air filter system
• Use abrasives other than sand for abrasive blasting
• Wetting down dusty work areas or processes prior to work
• Working upwind of dusty sources where possible
• Posting warning signs where necessary
• Limiting exposure time
• Training all employees on appropriate working procedures
• Good housekeeping practices

2. FUMES
• Fumes are the vapor, dust, or smoke emitted by a substance due to heating,
explosion, or some other reaction
• Welding fumes contain a variety of metals, including aluminum, arsenic,
beryllium, lead and manganese .
• Argon, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen fluoride gases
often are produced during welding.
• Symptoms caused by short-term exposure to fumes can include burning eyes,
burning skin, dizziness, nausea, and fever.
 • Effects from fumes are normally temporary.
CONTROL OF FUMES

• Ensure adequate ventilation in the work area

• Read material safety data sheets before beginning work to learn what fumes can
be potentially released
• Familiarize yourself with the metals that are being used to determine if a paint
or coating can cause toxic fumes or gases.
3. VAPOURS AND GASES

• Classified according to their physiological action into-

o Asphyxiants
o Irritant gases
o Organo-metallic compounds
o Anesthetic vapors

4. ASPHYXIANTS
• Can cause asphyxia either by replacing oxygen or by some other mechanism
• Divided into
• Simple asphyxiants
• Chemical asphyxiants
• Simple asphyxiants- replaces oxygen
• Eg- Nitrogen, methane, carbon dioxide
• Chemical asphyxiants- Interfere through some chemical action with the respiratory
function of the blood, tissue cells or respiratory centre
• Eg- Carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide and hydrocyanic acid
SIMPLE ASPHYXIANTS

• Nitrogen
o Used in fertilizer industry
o Present in mines where oxygen is consumed
o In mines it can be detected by safety lamp which is extinguished at oxygen
concentration of 17%
o At 12%, there is dyspnea, cyanosis, unconsciousness, loss of motor power and
death
• Methane
o Results from the decomposition of the organic matter
o Present in marshes, sewers and mines
o Inflammable and lighter than air
CHEMICAL ASPHYXIANTS

• Hydrogen sulphide
o Colorless gas, heavier than air with smell of rotten egg
o Exposure occurs in oil fields, refineries, sewers and in the manufacture of rayon
and artificial rubber
o Causes irritation to the eyes and upper respiratory system
o Causes asphyxia
o If respiratory paralysis occurs, then artificial respiration is needed

• Hydrocyanic acid

• Colorless gas with odour of bitter almond

• Used in fumigation of ships as a pesticide and its salts are used in metal hardening,
electroplating and in extraction of gold from ore
• The gases can be absorbed through the skin and its organic salts are among the most
potent poisons
• Signs and symptoms appear within minutes in the form of dizziness, oppression of the
chest, unconsciousness and death which in severe cases occurs within minutes.
5. IRRITANT GASES
1. SULPHUR DIOXIDE (SO2)
• One of the most common air pollutants.
• It results from the combustion of fuels containing Sulphur and is present in vehicle
exhaust fumes, in front of furnaces and is also produced in the extraction of metals
from sulphide ores.
• It is used in the production of sulphuric acid, in the preservation of fruits, in sugar
industry and in the bleaching of wool.
• It is colorless, has a pungent odour and is oxidized in air in to Sulphur trioxide.
• Exposure causes irritation of the eyes and upper respiratory passages.
• High concentration may cause oedema of larynx, pulmonary oedema, pneumonia and
even death.
2. AMMONIA
• A common upper airway tract irritant.
• It is highly soluble alkaline gas that is widely used in industry as a refrigerant and
in the manufacture of fertilizers, explosives and plastics
• It attacks the skin, conjunctiva and the mucuous membranes of the upper
respiratory tract.
• Oedema of the larynx and pulmonary oedema can occur exposure to high
concentrations and can cause death.
• Management consists of removing the patient from exposure followed by
supportive care with oxygen and attention to fluid and electrolyte homeostasis.
• Most patients gradually improve overtime and make a full recovery without
parenchymal lung damage except for bronchiectasis.
 3. PHOSGENE
• Results from decomposition of chlorinated hydrocarbons when they come into contact
with a hot surface (CCl4 is used in firefighting).
• Phosgene is sparingly soluble in water; therefore, upper respiratory irritation is slight.
• However, delayed pulmonary oedema can occur and therefore the patient should be
observed for 48 hours and given rest, warmth stimulants and O2.
4. NITROGEN OXIDES

• Nitrous oxide (N2O) is an aesthetic and in the absence of O2 is a simple asphyxiant.

• Nitrogen oxides are a mixture of NO2 and N2Oare brown in color.
• Exposure occurs in chemical laboratories, in the explosive industry, in the manufacture
of nitric or sulphuric acids, fertilizer industry and on slow combustion of nitrogen
containing materials.

6. MIST AND FOG

• Fog and mist consist of clouds that are made of condensed water
• Fog and mist differ by how far you can see through them
• Fog is when you see less than 1000m away
• If you can see further than 1000m, it is mist
• Mist in quicker to dissipate and can rapidly disappear with slight winds
• Causes eye irritation and visibility issues

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS (MSDS)

• Documents that contain information about the potential hazards and how to work
safely with the chemical products.
• Contains information on the use, storage, handling and emergency procedure all
related to the hazards of the material.
• Prepared by the supplier or manufacturer of the material.
• Product information (name of product, manufacturer and suppliers name,
emergency phone numbers, address etc.)
• Hazardous ingredients
• Physical data (appearance, color, odour, density, pHetc.)
• Fire or explosion hazard data
• Reactivity data (information on the chemical stability of the product and the
substance it may react with)
• Toxicological properties (health effects)
• Preventive measures
• First aid measures
• Preparation information: who is responsible for preparation and date of
preparation of MSDS
 Biological Hazards
• Biological hazards, also known as biohazards, refer to biological substances that pose
a threat to the health of living organisms, primarily that of humans.
• Occupations where people may come into contact with biohazards
• Medical staff, cleaning staff and laboratory professionals in medical profession
• Employees in environmental hygiene services such as liquid waste, rubbish collection
and disposal
• Agriculture, veterinary, fishery services and manufacturing services that use plant or
animal based raw materials.
• Indoor workplaces where employees generally work in enclosed areas with central air-
conditioning: – Any microorganism breeding inside the air-conditioning system or
cooling towers may spread in the workplace through the air-conditioning system.
Classification of Biological agents
• Risk Group 1
o No or low individual and community risk- A microorganism that is unlikely to
cause human or animal disease.
• Risk Group 2
o Moderate individual risk; low community risk- A pathogen that can cause
human or animal disease but is unlikely to be a serious hazard to laboratory
workers, the community, livestock or the environment.
o Laboratory exposures may cause serious infection, but effective treatment and
preventative measures are available and the risk of spread of infection is
limited.
• Risk Group 3
• High individual risk; low community risk- A pathogen that usually causes serious
human or animal disease but does not ordinarily spread from one infected individual
to another. Effective treatment and preventative measures are available.
• Risk Group 4
❑ High individual risk; high community risk- A pathogen that usually causes
serious human or animal disease and that can be readily transmitted from
one individual to another, directly or indirectly. Effective treatment and
preventative measures are usually not available.
Types of Biohazards
• Microorganisms
o Examples: viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, algae
o Reactions: infection, exposure, allergic reactions
• Arthropods
o Examples: lobsters, crab, spiders, insects
 o Reactions: skin inflammation, allergic reactions, systemic intoxication,
transmission of infectious diseases.
o Allergens
o Examples: from higher plants
o Reactions: Dermatitis, rhinitis(nose), asthma
o Protein Allergens
o Examples: vertebrate animals (urine, feces, hair, saliva)
o Reactions: allergic reactions
o Parasites
o Examples: ticks, hookworms, pinworms
o Reactions: skin reaction, inflammatory response, allergic reaction
Can you differentiate sound and noise???
Sound is a vibration that propagates as a mechanical wave of pressure and displacement,
through some medium (air or water). It should be within the hearing range of humans.
Noise is any unwanted sound which disrupts the quality of one’s life. Measured in Decibel
(dB) units Unwanted sound that penetrates the environment– noise pollution Noise above
65 dB as noise pollution, noise become harmful when it exceeds 75 dB and is painful above
120 Db.
CHARACTERISTICS OF NOISE
o Sound Pressure
o Frequency
o Duration
o Time of the day
o Location
o Intermittency
SOURCES OF NOISE POLLUTION
o Household Sources
o Social Events
o Commercial and Industrial Activities
o Transportation
HOUSEHOLD SOURCES
o Food Mixer
o Grinder
o Vacuum Cleaner
o Washing machine and Dryer
o Air Conditioner
o Straighter and curlers
 SOCIAL EVENTS
o Places of Worship
o Discos and Gigs
o Parties
o Markets where people sell goods with loudspeaker.
o When these events are not often, they can be termed as nuisance rather than
noise pollution.
Commercial and Industrial Activities
o Printing Presses
o Manufacturing Industries
o Construction Sites
SOURCES OF CONSTRUCTION NOISE
o Pneumatic Hammers
o Air Compressors
o Bulldozers
o Loaders
o Dump Trucks
o Pavement breakers
SOURCES OF INDUSTRY NOISE
o Fans
o Motors
o Compressors mounted outside
o This interior noise sources have significant impacts on industrial workers, among
whom noise induced hearing loss is unfortunately common.
CAUSES OF NOISE POLLUTION
o Poor urban planning
o Sounds from motor vehicles
o Sounds from musical instruments
o Car Alarms
o Office equipment
o Factory machinery
o Construction work
o Appliances
o Audio Instruments
o Loud speakers
o Noise created by people
EFFECTS ON HUMAN
[Link] Impairment: WHO recommends unprotected exposure to sound levels greater
than 100 dB should be limited in duration (4 hrs) and frequency at 4times/ yr. Levels
greater than 165 dB, even for a few milliseconds, are likely to cause acute cochlear
damage. Continued exposure can even lead to temporary or permanent deafness.
[Link] Efficiency: by lowering the quality of life and adversely affect the
performance For eg: reading, attentiveness, problem solving, memory etc.
Lack of Concentration: Noise of traffic or different sounds can divert the attention of
people and can lead to accidents.
Abortion: There should be a cool and calm atmosphere during the pregnancy.
Unpleasant sounds can irritate and sudden noises can cause abortion.
Mental Illness: Noise pollution can cause anxiety, stress nausea, headache, emotional
instability, changes in mood, social conflicts or aggressive behaviors.
[Link] Attack:
DISEASES CAUSED BY NOISE POLLUTION
o High Blood Pressure
o Heart Attack
o Cancer
o Asthma
o Coughing, wheezing
o Deafness
o Annoyance
o Stress
o Anxiety
o Reduced lung development
o Bronchitis
o Insomnia
o Arterious Clerosis
EFFECTS ON ANIMALS
 Damages Nervous system
 Altering Prey/predator detection
 Creates problems in Navigation
 They become Dangerous and Attacking
 Raise Metabolism
 Reduction of useable Habitat
 Death of Certain Species
 Genetic and Evolutionary Problems
CONTROL OF NOISE POLLUTION
 Control at Source
 Control in the Transmission Path
 Protective Measures
CONTROL AT SOURCE
 Reducing the Noise Levels from Domestic Sectors
 Maintenance of Automobiles
 Use of Economic instruments
 Control over Vibrations
 Low Voice Speaking
 Prohibition on Usage of loudspeakers
 Selection of Machinery
 Maintenance of Machines
LAW GOVERNING NOISE POLLUTION IN INDIA
Noise Pollution (Regulation and control) Rule 2000, section3 of the Environmental
Protection Act of 1986 led to Noise Regulation Rules (2000). The EPA is the umbrella
legislation to deal with every dynamic issue in relation to environmental protection. The
rules regulate noise levels in.
CONSEQUENCES
 A person may, if the noise level exceeds the ambient noise standard by 10 dB or
more as specified, make a complaint to the authority
 The authority shall act on the complaint and take action against the violater in
accordance with the provisions of these rules and any other law in force.
 If the authorities do not act to stop violation of the Noise Rules, the citizen who
has filed a complaint can approach the Court with his complaint after 60 days'
notice and the Court can initiate prosecution
 The rules also fix different ambient air quality levels for firecrackers and industrial
activities.