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CHEMICAL SAFETY

cleaning up chemical waste,lab worker, chemical plant

Overview

This is a cumulative list of chemical databases, which contain acute and chronic health effects information of being exposed to a myriad number of hazardous chemicals. Some of these chemicals may be systemic toxins, carcinogens, reproductive toxicants, neurological toxicants, sensitizers, immunological agents, dermatopathic agents, pneumoconiotic agents, or asthmagens.

These databases also contain chemical information on the following:

  • reactivity
  • explosiveness
  • other physical properties, such as, molecular weight, vapor pressure, and flammability

In addition, some of these databases provide information regarding personal protective equipment, which include the selection of respirators, protective clothing, and eye protection devices. Information can also be found on analytical methods, medical tests, and biomonitoring.

NIOSH Databases and Other Resources

Chemical Hazards Emergency Medical Management [CHEMM]
This is a web-based guide for identification of chemical exposures during emergency response incidents along with subsequent medical treatment options. The purpose of this guide is to mitigate chemical exposure casualties for civilians, workers, military personnel, emergency responders, and hospital providers.

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2005-149
Exposure limits, Respirator Recommendations, First Aid, more...
The Pocket Guide is a source of general industrial hygiene information on several hundred chemicals/classes found in the work environment. Key data provided for each chemical/substance includes name (including synonyms/trade names), structure/formula, CAS/RTECS Numbers, DOT ID, conversion factors, exposure limits, IDLH, chemical and physical properties, measurement methods, personal protection, respirator recommendations, symptoms, and first aid.

NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM)
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-113 (1994)
NMAM is a collection of methods for sampling and analysis of contaminants in workplace air, and in the blood and urine of workers who are occupationally exposed.

International Chemical Safety Cards (WHO/IPCS/ILO)
IPCS cards summarize essential health and safety information on chemicals for their use at the "shop floor" level by workers and employers in factories, agriculture, construction and other work places.

Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH)
IDLHs document the criteria and information sources that have been used to determine immediately dangerous to life or health concentrations of workers.

The Emergency Response Safety and Health Database (ERSH-DB)
Developed by NIOSH for the emergency response community, The ERSH-DB contains accurate and concise information on high-priority chemical, biological and radiological agents that could be encountered by personnel responding to a terrorist event.

NIOSH Chemical Agent Information for Emergency Responders
Includes NIOSH Emergency Response Cards, information on Cyanide, Sarin, Nitrogen Mustard, Sulfur Mustard, VX, other chemicals.

Other NIOSH Databases
Additional data resources on Chemical Hazards, Agriculture, Construction, Respirators, more...

Personal Protective Equipment

NIOSH Respirator Topic Page
Provides information on respiratory protection, including user notices, respirator selection, certification and standards.

NIOSH Protective Clothing and Ensembles Topic Page
Recommendations for selection, other resources.

A Guide for Evaluating the Performance of Chemical Protective Clothing
DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 90-109 (June 1990)
Outline of the selection process for CPC, including examples.

Other Government Agency Resources

US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)

Hazardous Materials Safety (HAZMAT)—Emergency Response Guidelines

Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGLs)
EPA web site describes dangers from exposure to airborne chemicals and recommends guideline levels for short-term exposures to airborne hazardous substances.

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs

New Jersey Right to Know Fact Sheets

National Toxicology Program (NTP)

Toxicology Data Network (TOXNET)—National Library of Medicine

ChemIDplus Chemical Search Input Page (NLM)

Hazardous Substance Data Bank (TOXNET)

Non-Governmental Resources

Mixtures of Substances in the Workplace: Utility for Evaluating the Chemical Risk (Calculation of the Rm)
This utility is an aid in decision-making for occupational health professionals. It provides information about the additivity or interaction potential between chemical substances in a mixture found in the workplace. It cannot replace the informed judgement of an occupational health professional. Note that PELs listed are from the Québec regulations.

Material Safety Data Sheets

Regulatory Information -Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA):

OSHA Hazard Communication Standard

OSHA Form 174: Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

MSDS Resources:

MSDS-Search

Safety Information Resources, Inc. (SIRI)—MSDS Index

MSDA Search

Safety Information Resources, Inc. (SIRI)—MSDS Index

 
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