TOXIC COMPOUNDS

TOXIC COMPOUNDS DOE-HDBK-1015/2-93 Hazards of Chemicals and Gases CH-05 Rev. 0 Page 8 TOXIC COMPOUNDS The various chemicals found in industry as well as the home are useful when properly applied. If the user is uninformed about correct applications, storage, and potential hazards, these chemicals become threats to safety. This chapter gives an overview of handling chemicals and resources of information about these chemicals. EO 1.3 LIST the general safety precautions regarding toxic compounds. EO 1.4 LIST the criteria used to determine if a compound is a health hazard. EO 1.5 STATE the methods by which toxic compounds may enter the body. EO 1.6 SUMMARIZE the purpose and general contents of the following: a. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) b. Toxic Substance List Toxic Compounds Because the types of toxic compounds found in industry number in the thousands, and because specific hazards, controls, and corrective measures may vary with the substance, no attempt will be made in this section to address specific compounds. Instead, information of a general nature will be presented on toxic materials. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are required for all potentially hazardous and toxic materials and should be consulted for specific descriptions and precautions concerning the substance in question. There are some general precautions that should be universally employed regarding toxic compounds. Many of these precautions are consistent with those already mentioned concerning corrosives. Proper ventilation, appropriate hygienic practices, housekeeping, protective clothing, and training for safe handling and storage will diminish many of the hazards that exist. The toxicity of a material is not synonymous with its health hazard. Toxicity is the capacity of a material to produce injury or harm to a living organism.