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Chemical hazard

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Chemical hazards are hazards present in hazardous chemicals and hazardous materials . Exposure to certain chemicals can cause acute or long-term adverse health effects. Chemical hazards are usually classified separately from biological hazards (biohazards). Chemical hazards are classified into groups that include asphyxiants , corrosives , irritants , sensitizers , carcinogens , mutagens , teratogens , reactants , and flammables . In the workplace, exposure to chemical hazards is a type of occupational hazard . The use of personal protective equipment may substantially reduce the risk of adverse health effects from contact with hazardous materials.

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54-509: Long-term exposure to chemical hazards such as silica dust , engine exhausts , tobacco smoke , and lead (among others) have been shown to increase risk of heart disease , stroke , and high blood pressure . The most common exposure route to chemicals in the work environment is through inhalation . Gas, vapour , mist, dust, fumes, and smoke can all be inhaled. Those with occupations involving physical work may inhale higher levels of chemicals if working in an area with contaminated air. This

108-493: A carrier gas at 200–500 °C. Silicon dioxide is a relatively inert material (hence its widespread occurrence as a mineral). Silica is often used as inert containers for chemical reactions. At high temperatures, it is converted to silicon by reduction with carbon. Administrative controls Too Many Requests If you report this error to the Wikimedia System Administrators, please include

162-483: A cell's normal processes for regulating growth, leading to uncontrolled cellular proliferation. This occurs when the cell's DNA repair processes fail to identify DNA damage allowing the defect to be passed down to daughter cells . The damage accumulates over time. This is typically a multi-step process during which the regulatory mechanisms within the cell are gradually dismantled allowing for unchecked cellular division . The specific mechanisms for carcinogenic activity

216-419: A chemical hazard occurs it comes from when those said chemicals are absorbed while in the digestive tract of the body. Ingestion only occurs when food or drink has contact with the toxic chemical . This can happen through direct or indirect ingestion. When food or drink is brought into an environment where harmful chemicals are unsealed there is the possibility of those chemical vapors or particles contaminating

270-420: A glance that there are hazardous chemicals present. The symbols help identify whether the chemicals that are going to be in use may potentially cause physical harm, or harm to the environment. The 9 symbols are: These pictographs are also subdivided into class and categories for each classification. The assignments for each chemical depends on their type and their severity. The standard set of 9 hazard pictograms

324-407: A glass with no true melting point, can be used as a glass fibre for fibreglass. Silicon dioxide is mostly obtained by mining, including sand mining and purification of quartz . Quartz is suitable for many purposes, while chemical processing is required to make a purer or otherwise more suitable (e.g. more reactive or fine-grained) product. Precipitated silica or amorphous silica is produced by

378-494: A heat capacity minimum. Its density decreases from 2.08 g/cm at 1950 °C to 2.03 g/cm at 2200 °C. The molecular SiO 2 has a linear structure like CO 2 . It has been produced by combining silicon monoxide (SiO) with oxygen in an argon matrix. The dimeric silicon dioxide, (SiO 2 ) 2 has been obtained by reacting O 2 with matrix isolated dimeric silicon monoxide, (Si 2 O 2 ). In dimeric silicon dioxide there are two oxygen atoms bridging between

432-450: A low value of 140° in α-tridymite, up to 180° in β-tridymite. In α-quartz, the Si–O–Si angle is 144°. Alpha quartz is the most stable form of solid SiO 2 at room temperature. The high-temperature minerals, cristobalite and tridymite, have both lower densities and indices of refraction than quartz. The transformation from α-quartz to beta-quartz takes place abruptly at 573 °C. Since

486-410: A silicon wafer enables it to overcome the surface states that otherwise prevent electricity from reaching the semiconducting layer. The process of silicon surface passivation by thermal oxidation (silicon dioxide) is critical to the semiconductor industry . It is commonly used to manufacture metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) and silicon integrated circuit chips (with

540-424: A variety of damage. Most sources agree that it is best to rinse any contacted skin or eye with water immediately. Currently, there is insufficient evidence of how long the rinsing should be done, as the degree of impacts will vary for substances such as corrosive chemicals. Transporting the affected person to a health care facility may be important, depending on condition. If the victim needs to be transported before

594-477: A very shallow layer of about 1 nm or 10 Å of so-called native oxide. Higher temperatures and alternative environments are used to grow well-controlled layers of silicon dioxide on silicon, for example at temperatures between 600 and 1200 °C, using so-called dry oxidation with O 2 or wet oxidation with H 2 O. The native oxide layer is beneficial in microelectronics , where it acts as electric insulator with high chemical stability. It can protect

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648-524: A white powder with extremely low bulk density (0.03-0.15 g/cm ) and thus high surface area. The particles act as a thixotropic thickening agent, or as an anti-caking agent, and can be treated to make them hydrophilic or hydrophobic for either water or organic liquid applications. Silica fume is an ultrafine powder collected as a by-product of the silicon and ferrosilicon alloy production. It consists of amorphous (non-crystalline) spherical particles with an average particle diameter of 150 nm, without

702-435: Is a common fundamental constituent of glass . In the majority of silicon dioxides, the silicon atom shows tetrahedral coordination , with four oxygen atoms surrounding a central Si atom ( see 3-D Unit Cell ). Thus, SiO 2 forms 3-dimensional network solids in which each silicon atom is covalently bonded in a tetrahedral manner to 4 oxygen atoms. In contrast, CO 2 is a linear molecule. The starkly different structures of

756-451: Is a common workplace injury and may also occur in domestic situations with chemicals such as bleach or drain-cleaners. The exposure of chemicals to the skin most often results in local irritation to the exposed area. In some exposures, the chemical will be absorbed through the skin and will result in poisoning. The eyes have a strong sensitivity to chemicals, and are consequently an area of high concern for chemical exposure. Chemical exposure to

810-439: Is also the primary component of rice husk ash , which is used, for example, in filtration and as supplementary cementitious material (SCM) in cement and concrete manufacturing. Silicification in and by cells has been common in the biological world and it occurs in bacteria, protists, plants, and animals (invertebrates and vertebrates). Prominent examples include: About 95% of the commercial use of silicon dioxide (sand)

864-423: Is an example of another method for controlling chemical exposures. When engineering controls are implemented, there is a physical change made to the work environment that will eliminate or reduce the risk to chemical exposure. An example of engineering controls is the enclosure or isolation of the process that creates the chemical hazard. If the process that creates the chemical hazard cannot be enclosed or isolated,

918-441: Is because workers who do physical work will exchange over 10,000 litres of air over an 8-hour day, while workers who do not do physical work will exchange only 2,800 litres. If the air is contaminated in the workplace, more air exchange will lead to the inhalation of higher amounts of chemicals. Chemicals may be ingested when food or drink is contaminated by unwashed hands or from clothing or poor handling practices. When ingestion of

972-414: Is evidence that workplace exposure to lead, carbon disulfide, or phenoxy acids containing TCDD, as well as working in an environment where aluminium is being electrolytically produced, are associated with stroke. Pesticides and carbon disulfide , amongst many other chemical species have been linked to disruptions of endocrine balances in the brain and ovaries . Any contact with harmful chemicals during

1026-465: Is in the construction industry, e.g. in the production of concrete ( Portland cement concrete ). Certain deposits of silica sand, with desirable particle size and shape and desirable clay and other mineral content, were important for sand casting of metallic products. The high melting point of silica enables it to be used in such applications such as iron casting; modern sand casting sometimes uses other minerals for other reasons. Crystalline silica

1080-651: Is obtained by the dealumination of a low-sodium, ultra-stable Y zeolite with combined acid and thermal treatment. The resulting product contains over 99% silica, and has high crystallinity and specific surface area (over 800 m /g). Faujasite-silica has very high thermal and acid stability. For example, it maintains a high degree of long-range molecular order or crystallinity even after boiling in concentrated hydrochloric acid . Molten silica exhibits several peculiar physical characteristics that are similar to those observed in liquid water : negative temperature expansion, density maximum at temperatures ~5000 °C, and

1134-421: Is rapidly cooled, it does not crystallize, but solidifies as a glass. Because of this, most ceramic glazes have silica as the main ingredient. The structural geometry of silicon and oxygen in glass is similar to that in quartz and most other crystalline forms of silicon and oxygen, with silicon surrounded by regular tetrahedra of oxygen centres. The difference between the glass and crystalline forms arises from

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1188-426: Is the major constituent of sand . Even though it is poorly soluble, silica occurs in many plants such as rice . Plant materials with high silica phytolith content appear to be of importance to grazing animals, from chewing insects to ungulates . Silica accelerates tooth wear, and high levels of silica in plants frequently eaten by herbivores may have developed as a defense mechanism against predation. Silica

1242-457: Is the only polymorph of silica stable at the Earth's surface. Metastable occurrences of the high-pressure forms coesite and stishovite have been found around impact structures and associated with eclogites formed during ultra-high-pressure metamorphism . The high-temperature forms of tridymite and cristobalite are known from silica-rich volcanic rocks . In many parts of the world, silica

1296-504: Is the process by which a semiconductor surface is rendered inert, and does not change semiconductor properties as a result of interaction with air or other materials in contact with the surface or edge of the crystal. The formation of a thermally grown silicon dioxide layer greatly reduces the concentration of electronic states at the silicon surface . SiO 2 films preserve the electrical characteristics of p–n junctions and prevent these electrical characteristics from deteriorating by

1350-832: Is unique to each agent and cell type. Carcinogens can be broadly categorized, however, as activation-dependent and activation-independent which relate to the agent's ability to engage directly with DNA. Activation-dependent agents are relatively inert in their original form, but are bioactivated in the body into metabolites or intermediaries capable of damaging human DNA. These are also known as "indirect-acting" carcinogens. Examples of activation-dependent carcinogens include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heterocyclic aromatic amines , and mycotoxins . Activation-independent carcinogens, or "direct-acting" carcinogens, are those that are capable of directly damaging DNA without any modification to their molecular structure. These agents typically include electrophilic groups that react readily with

1404-436: Is used as a fining agent for wine, beer, and juice, with the E number reference E551 . In cosmetics, silica is useful for its light-diffusing properties and natural absorbency. Diatomaceous earth , a mined product, has been used in food and cosmetics for centuries. It consists of the silica shells of microscopic diatoms ; in a less processed form it was sold as "tooth powder". Manufactured or mined hydrated silica

1458-489: Is used as the hard abrasive in toothpaste . Silicon dioxide is widely used in the semiconductor technology: Because silicon dioxide is a native oxide of silicon it is more widely used compared to other semiconductors like gallium arsenide or indium phosphide . Silicon dioxide could be grown on a silicon semiconductor surface. Silicon oxide layers could protect silicon surfaces during diffusion processes , and could be used for diffusion masking. Surface passivation

1512-418: Is used in hydraulic fracturing of formations which contain tight oil and shale gas . Silica is the primary ingredient in the production of most glass . As other minerals are melted with silica, the principle of freezing point depression lowers the melting point of the mixture and increases fluidity. The glass transition temperature of pure SiO 2 is about 1475 K. When molten silicon dioxide SiO 2

1566-538: Is used to produce elemental silicon . The process involves carbothermic reduction in an electric arc furnace : Fumed silica , also known as pyrogenic silica, is prepared by burning SiCl 4 in an oxygen-rich hydrogen flame to produce a "smoke" of SiO 2 . It can also be produced by vaporizing quartz sand in a 3000 °C electric arc. Both processes result in microscopic droplets of amorphous silica fused into branched, chainlike, three-dimensional secondary particles which then agglomerate into tertiary particles,

1620-452: The electrolytic production of aluminium, or the production of paper when the sulfate pulping process is used, is associated with heart disease. An association was found between heart disease and exposure to compounds which are no longer permitted in certain work environments, such as phenoxy acids containing TCDD (dioxin) or asbestos . Workplace exposure to silica dust or asbestos is also associated with pulmonary heart disease . There

1674-555: The planar process ). Hydrophobic silica is used as a defoamer component . In its capacity as a refractory , it is useful in fiber form as a high-temperature thermal protection fabric. Silica is used in the extraction of DNA and RNA due to its ability to bind to the nucleic acids under the presence of chaotropes . Silica aerogel was used in the Stardust spacecraft to collect extraterrestrial particles. Pure silica (silicon dioxide), when cooled as fused quartz into

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1728-496: The acidification of solutions of sodium silicate . The gelatinous precipitate or silica gel , is first washed and then dehydrated to produce colorless microporous silica. The idealized equation involving a trisilicate and sulfuric acid is: Approximately one billion kilograms/year (1999) of silica were produced in this manner, mainly for use for polymer composites – tires and shoe soles. Thin films of silica grow spontaneously on silicon wafers via thermal oxidation , producing

1782-552: The branching of the pyrogenic product. The main use is as pozzolanic material for high performance concrete. Fumed silica nanoparticles can be successfully used as an anti-aging agent in asphalt binders. Silica, either colloidal, precipitated, or pyrogenic fumed, is a common additive in food production. It is used primarily as a flow or anti- caking agent in powdered foods such as spices and non-dairy coffee creamer, or powders to be formed into pharmaceutical tablets. It can adsorb water in hygroscopic applications. Colloidal silica

1836-770: The carcinogenicity of substances include the National Toxicology Program of the US Public Health Service , NIOSH , the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists and others. A 2017 SBU report found evidence that workplace exposure to silica dust, engine exhaust or welding fumes is associated with heart disease . Associations exist for exposure to arsenic , benzopyrenes , lead , dynamite , carbon disulfide , carbon monoxide , metalworking fluids and occupational exposure to tobacco smoke . Working with

1890-509: The connectivity of the tetrahedral units: Although there is no long-range periodicity in the glassy network, ordering remains at length scales well beyond the SiO bond length. One example of this ordering is the preference to form rings of 6-tetrahedra. The majority of optical fibers for telecommunications are also made from silica. It is a primary raw material for many ceramics such as earthenware , stoneware , and porcelain . Silicon dioxide

1944-653: The cumulative scientific evidence regarding the potential carcinogenicity of specific substances. Foremost among these is the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). IARC routinely publishes monographs in which specific substances are evaluated for their potential carcinogenicity to humans and subsequently categorized into one of four groupings: Group 1: Carcinogenic to humans, Group 2A: Probably carcinogenic to humans, Group 2B: Possibly carcinogenic to humans and Group 3: Not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans. Other organizations that evaluate

1998-488: The densest of the low-pressure forms, which has a density of 2.648 g/cm . The difference in density can be ascribed to the increase in coordination as the six shortest Si–O bond lengths in stishovite (four Si–O bond lengths of 176 pm and two others of 181 pm) are greater than the Si–O bond length (161 pm) in α-quartz. The change in the coordination increases the ionicity of the Si–O bond. Faujasite silica, another polymorph,

2052-459: The dioxides of carbon and silicon are a manifestation of the double bond rule . Based on the crystal structural differences, silicon dioxide can be divided into two categories: crystalline and non-crystalline (amorphous). In crystalline form, this substance can be found naturally occurring as quartz , tridymite (high-temperature form), cristobalite (high-temperature form), stishovite (high-pressure form), and coesite (high-pressure form). On

2106-423: The eyes results in irritation and may result in burns and vision loss. Injection is an uncommon method of chemical exposure in the workplace. Chemicals can be injected into the skin when a worker is punctured by a sharp object, such as a needle. Chemical exposure through injection may result in the chemical entering directly into the bloodstream. Hazard pictograms are a type of labeling system that alerts people at

2160-477: The first few months of pregnancy or even after has been connected to some miscarriages and has affected the menstrual cycle to the point that it has been able to block ovulation . Chemicals inducing health issues during pregnancy may also affect infants or fetuses . Silicon dioxide Silicon dioxide , also known as silica , is an oxide of silicon with the chemical formula SiO 2 , commonly found in nature as quartz . In many parts of

2214-402: The food or the drink. A more direct form of chemical ingestion is the possibility of consuming the chemical directly. This rarely happens but, it is possible, that if there is little to no labeling on the chemical containers and if they aren’t secured properly an accident can occur which could lead to someone mistakenly assuming the chemical was something it was not. Chemical exposure to the skin

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2268-411: The gaseous ambient environment. Silicon oxide layers could be used to electrically stabilize silicon surfaces. The surface passivation process is an important method of semiconductor device fabrication that involves coating a silicon wafer with an insulating layer of silicon oxide so that electricity could reliably penetrate to the conducting silicon below. Growing a layer of silicon dioxide on top of

2322-566: The majority of these illnesses and deaths are thought to be caused by a lack of knowledge or awareness concerning the dangers of chemicals. The best method of controlling chemical exposure within the workplace is through the elimination or the substitution of all chemicals that are thought or known to cause illness or death. Although elimination and substitution of harmful chemicals is the best known method for controlling chemical exposure, there are other methods that can be implemented to diminish exposure. The implementation of engineering controls

2376-565: The net negative charge of DNA molecules. Examples of activation-independent carcinogens include ultraviolet light , ionizing radiation and alkylating agents . The time from exposure to a carcinogen to the development of cancer is known as the latency period . For most solid tumors in humans the latency period is between 10 and 40 years depending on cancer type. For blood cancers, the latency period may be as short as two. Due to prolonged latency periods identification of carcinogens can be challenging. A number of organizations review and evaluate

2430-603: The next best method is the implementation of administrative controls and work practices controls. This is the establishment of administrative and work practices that will reduce the amount of time and how often the workers will be exposed to the chemical hazard. An example of administrative and work practices controls is the establishment of work schedules in which workers have rotating job assignments. This will ensure that all workers have limited exposure to chemical hazards. Employers should provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect their workers from chemicals used within

2484-400: The other hand, amorphous silica can be found in nature as opal and diatomaceous earth . Quartz glass is a form of intermediate state between these structures. All of these distinct crystalline forms always have the same local structure around Si and O. In α-quartz the Si–O bond length is 161 pm, whereas in α-tridymite it is in the range 154–171 pm. The Si–O–Si angle also varies between

2538-618: The recommended flush time, then flushing should be done during the transportation process. Some chemical manufacturers may state the specific type of cleansing agent that is recommended. A carcinogen ( / k ɑːr ˈ s ɪ n ə dʒ ən / ) is any agent that promotes the development of cancer . Carcinogens can include synthetic chemicals , naturally occurring substances, physical agents such as ionizing and non-ionizing radiation , and biologic agents such as viruses and bacteria . Most carcinogens act by creating mutations in DNA that disrupt

2592-401: The silicon atoms with an Si–O–Si angle of 94° and bond length of 164.6 pm and the terminal Si–O bond length is 150.2 pm. The Si–O bond length is 148.3 pm, which compares with the length of 161 pm in α-quartz. The bond energy is estimated at 621.7 kJ/mol. SiO 2 is most commonly encountered in nature as quartz , which comprises more than 10% by mass of the Earth's crust. Quartz

2646-418: The silicon, store charge, block current, and even act as a controlled pathway to limit current flow. Many routes to silicon dioxide start with an organosilicon compound, e.g., HMDSO, TEOS. Synthesis of silica is illustrated below using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). Simply heating TEOS at 680–730 °C results in the oxide: Similarly TEOS combusts around 400 °C: TEOS undergoes hydrolysis via

2700-492: The so-called sol-gel process . The course of the reaction and nature of the product are affected by catalysts, but the idealized equation is: Being highly stable, silicon dioxide arises from many methods. Conceptually simple, but of little practical value, combustion of silane gives silicon dioxide. This reaction is analogous to the combustion of methane: However the chemical vapor deposition of silicon dioxide onto crystal surface from silane had been used using nitrogen as

2754-446: The transformation is accompanied by a significant change in volume, it can easily induce fracturing of ceramics or rocks passing through this temperature limit. The high-pressure minerals, seifertite , stishovite, and coesite, though, have higher densities and indices of refraction than quartz. Stishovite has a rutile -like structure where silicon is 6-coordinate. The density of stishovite is 4.287 g/cm , which compares to α-quartz,

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2808-506: The workplace. The use of PPE prevents workers from being exposed to chemicals through the routes of exposure—inhalation, absorption through skin or eyes, ingestion, and injection. One example of how PPE usage can prevent chemical exposure concerns respirators. If workers wear respirators, they will prevent the exposure of chemicals through inhalation. In case of an emergency, it is recommended to understand first aid procedures in order to minimize any damage. Different types of chemicals can cause

2862-482: The world, silica is the major constituent of sand . Silica is one of the most complex and abundant families of materials , existing as a compound of several minerals and as a synthetic product. Examples include fused quartz , fumed silica , opal , and aerogels . It is used in structural materials , microelectronics , and as components in the food and pharmaceutical industries. All forms are white or colorless, although impure samples can be colored. Silicon dioxide

2916-544: Was published and distributed as a regulatory requirement through the efforts of the United Nations via the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals . Chemical exposure is estimated to have caused approximately 190,000 illnesses and 50,000 deaths of workers annually. There exists an unknown link between chemical exposure and subsequent illness or death. Therefore,

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