Chemical hazards
Chemical Hazards
Chemical hazards (/kɛmɪkəl 'hæzərd/) are substances, mixtures and articles that can pose a significant risk to health and safety if not managed correctly. They can be in the form of solids, liquids, gases, mists, fumes, smoke, dust or vapours.
Etymology
The term "chemical hazard" is derived from the words "chemical", which comes from the Latin word "chemia" meaning "alchemy", and "hazard", which originates from the Arabic word "az-zahr" meaning "chance or luck".
Types of Chemical Hazards
Chemical hazards can be classified into several types:
- Toxicity: This refers to the ability of a chemical to cause harm to an organism. The degree of harm is related to the concentration of the chemical and the duration of exposure.
- Corrosivity: This refers to the ability of a substance to destroy or irreversibly damage another substance on contact.
- Flammability: This refers to the ability of a substance to ignite or burn.
- Reactivity: This refers to the ability of a substance to undergo a chemical reaction with another substance.
Related Terms
- Hazardous Substances: These are substances that can harm people, property, or the environment. They include chemicals that are toxic, corrosive, flammable, or reactive.
- Occupational Safety and Health: This is a multidisciplinary field concerned with the safety, health, and welfare of people at work.
- Risk Assessment: This is the process of identifying hazards, assessing the risk they pose, and determining appropriate ways to eliminate or control the hazards.
- Personal Protective Equipment: These are devices worn by workers to protect against hazards in the environment.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Chemical hazards
- Wikipedia's article - Chemical hazards
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