This document provides an overview of chemical hazards and how to interpret chemical safety information. It defines organic and inorganic chemicals, their common types and hazards. Physical properties like boiling point, vapor pressure, and flammability are described. The pH scale and identifying acids and bases are explained. Corrosiveness is identified as a major hazard. Material Safety Data Sheets are identified as a key resource for finding chemical hazard information like health effects and safe handling procedures. The overall goal is for participants to learn chemical terminology and extract hazard data from MSDS sheets.

1. Chemical Hazards
The overall objective for this
module is that participants will
extract and interpret chemical
hazard information from a Material
Safety Data Sheet

2. Overview
 Chemical terms and definitions that will
help you when handling chemicals
 General properties of common
chemicals and how to handle them
appropriately
 How to use the Material Safety Data
Sheet to find information about a
chemical

3. Expectations
 Identify three types of organic hydrocarbons
 Identify the three major hazards associated with organic
compounds
 List the three main types of inorganic chemicals
 Identify the major hazard associated with inorganic
chemicals
 Identify the two chemical types indicated on the pH scale
 Identify a corrosive material based on the OSHA
definition
 Use the Material Safety Data Sheet to find information
about a chemical

4. What
Are
Chemicals?

5. Periodic Table of the Elements

6. Chemical Symbols
 Calcium Ca
 Carbon C
 Oxygen O
Combine to form
Calcium Carbonate CaCO3
A Chemical Compound!

7. Two Major Chemical Groups
 Organic
 Inorganic

8. Organic Chemicals
 Based on the chemistry of carbon
 Hydrocarbons are the root of most
organic chemicals

9. Organic Chemicals
 Aromatic Hydrocarbons
• Benzene, toluene, xylene, and naphthalene
 Halogenated Hydrocarbons
• Freon, CFC’S, and PCB’S
 Phosphorylated Hydrocarbons
• Organophosphates
 Oxygenated Hydrocarbons
• Aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids

10. Hazards of Organic Chemicals
 Most are flammable
• Characteristics such as flashpoints lower and
upper flammability and autoignition
temperatures should be known
 Most are anesthetics
• They should always be used in well-ventilated
spaces
 Some are carcinogens
• Toxicity limits should be known and appropriate
personal protective equipment worn

11. Inorganic Chemicals
 Acids
 Bases
 Salts
cleaner

12. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Acid Base
Neutral
Increasing strength ( H ) Increasing strength (OH )
+
_
pH Scale
pH Scale

13. Identifying Acids
 Acids have a pH less than 7
 High concentration of H+ ions
 Turn litmus paper red
 Taste tart
 React with metals to form hydrogen
gas

14. Identifying Bases
 Bases have a pH greater than 7
 Low concentration of H+ ions
 Turn litmus paper blue
 Taste bitter
 Have a slippery, soapy feel

15. Identifying Salts
 Salts are one or more metal ions
combined with one or more nonmetal
ions
 Formed when an acid and base react
with one another
 May be toxic and contain heavy
metals

16. Hazard of Inorganic
Chemicals
 Corrosive
• The second most commonly used and
transported group of hazardous
materials.
• “Any liquid that has a severe corrosion
rate on steel”.

17. Hazard of Inorganic
Chemicals
 Corrosive
OSHA Definition:
• “A chemical that causes visible
destruction of, or irreversible
alterations in, living tissue by
chemical action at the site of
contact.”

18. Properties of Chemicals
 Physical properties - Can be measured
 Chemical properties - How a chemical
will react

19. Physical Properties
 Volatility
 Boiling point
 Vapor pressure
• Measure of pressure that a gas/vapor will exert
on the inside of a closed container
• Measured in mm of mercury or inches of
mercury
• As temperatures rise the vapor pressure
increases

20. Physical Properties
 Evaporation rate
 Melting / Freezing point
 Specific gravity
• Water = 1
• Less than one is less dense and will
float in water
• More than one is more dense and will
sink in water

21. Physical Properties
 Vapor Density
• When the gases and vapors are compared
to normal room air (air = 1)
• Any gas or vapor that has a number less
than one is less dense and will rise in air
• Any gas or vapor that has a number larger
than one is more dense and will sink in air
 Solubility
 Chemical Compatibility

22. Physical Properties
 pH
• It is a scale
• Low and high numbers are corrosive
 Flashpoint
• Minimum temperature at which a
substance gives off vapor sufficient to
form an ignitable mixture with air

23. Physical Properties
 Flammable - Flashpoint below 1410 F
 Combustible - Flashpoint above 1410 F
and below 2000 F
 Ignitable - Flashpoint less than 1410 F

24. Physical Properties
 Lower Flammable Limit (LFL or LEL) and
Upper Flammable Limit (UFL or UEL)
• Are the range of chemical vapor to air ratio
that needs to exist before a chemical will
ignite

25. Physical Properties
 Lower Flammable Limit
• Lowest concentration, by volume in air,
which will explode, ignite, or burn when
there is an ignition source
 Upper Flammable Limit
• Maximum concentration, by volume in
air, which will explode, ignite, or burn
when there is an ignition source

26. Fires
 Three elements
necessary for a fire to
occur:
• Oxidizer (promote burning)
• Fuel (something to burn)
• Ignition source

27. Chemical Properties
 Oxidizers
 Pyrophoric
 Water reactive

28. Oxidizers
 Chemicals that contain oxygen and
will give it up readily
 May cause or enhance the
combustion of other materials

29. Pyrophoric
 Solids and liquids spontaneously
ignite in air at certain temperatures

30. Water Reactive
 Chemicals become spontaneously
flammable or give off flammable or
toxic gas when in contact with water

31. Chemical References
 Material Safety Data Sheets
 The Chemical Dictionary
 Product Label
 Farm Chemical Handbook
 Poison Control Center

32. Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDS)
 OSHA Requirements
• Identity
• Physical and Chemical Characteristics
• Physical Hazards
• Health Hazards
• Routes of Entry
• PEL and TLV

33.  OSHA Requirements
• Carcinogenicity
• Precautions for Safe Handling and Use
• Control Measures
• Emergency and First Aid Procedures
• Date of Preparation
• Name, Address, Phone Number of
Prepare
Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDS)

34. Understanding types of chemicals,
properties, potential hazards, and use of
reference materials will enable you to
handle chemicals safely and
appropriately