Intro To X Substances
Intro To X Substances
Toxic
Substances
An Introduction to
Chemical Hazards
in the Workplace
State of California
Department of Public Health
Department of Industrial Relations
2008 edition
This booklet was originally prepared in 1986 by
the Hazard Evaluation System and Information
Service (HESIS) and the Labor Occupational
Health Program (LOHP), University of
California, Berkeley. The design was originated
by Michael Cox. Revision layout is by Autumn
Press.
HESIS is a joint service of the Occupational
Health Branch, in the California Department of
Public Health, and Cal/OSHA, in the California
Department of Industrial Relations.
Understanding
Toxic
Substances
An Introduction to
Chemical Hazards
in the Workplace
HESIS
Occupational Health Branch
California Department of Public Health
(510) 620-5757
CA Relay Service: (800) 735-2929 or 711
www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/hesis
Table of Contents
Introduction
11
15
18
21
24
26
Resources
27
Glossary
29
Introduction
__
1
Toxic
and hazardous
are not the same
__
2
Toxicity
Route of exposure
__
3
__
4
Dose
__
5
Duration
__
6
__
7
Chronic
Occurs immediately
or soon after exposure
(short latency).
Relationship between
chemical exposure and
symptoms is generally,
although not always, obvious.
Chemical
combinations
__
8
Combination
toxic effects
__
9
Susceptibility
__
10
__
11
__
12
Mutagens
__
13
__
14
__
15
__
16
__
17
__
18
Recommended
exposure limits
__
19
__
20
Biological
monitoring
__
21
Practical clues
to exposure
__
22
__
23
Training
Engineering controls
__
24
Work practices
Personal protective
equipment
__
25
__
26
Resources
Cal/OSHA (California Division of Occupational Safety
and Health)
Cal/OSHA is Californias workplace health and safety
agency. Cal/OSHA enforces rules to protect workers.
You can make a complaint or ask questions about unsafe
working conditions, including toxic substances. Your name
will remain confidential.
There are Cal/OSHA offices throughout the state. To find
a local office, call headquarters at (510) 286-7000, link
to www.dir.ca.gov/DOSH/DistrictOffices.htm, or see
the blue Government Pages of your phone book under:
State Government Offices, Industrial Relations Dept.,
Occupational Safety and Health Cal/OSHA Enforcement.
See www.dir.ca.gov for workplace health and safety rules
and publications. For chemical exposure limits in general
industry, see www.dir.ca.gov/title8/ac1.pdf
The Cal/OSHA Consultation Service helps employers who
want free, non-enforcement help to evaluate the workplace
and improve the health and safety conditions. Employers
can call (800) 963-9424.
www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/consultation.html
HESIS (Hazard Evaluation System and Information
Service)
HESIS provides information to California workers,
employers, and health professionals about the health
effects of toxic substances, and ways to prevent workrelated injuries and illnesses.
www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/hesis
NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health)
NIOSH is the federal agency for education and research
on occupational safety and health. Use their Topics
indexes to look up chemicals, safety hazards, diseases, or
occupations. (800) 356-4674
www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics
__
27
Internet Resources
Workplace hazards
Worker rights
Workers compensation
Spanish-language resources
Resources for employers
Information for health care providers
Finding workplace health and safety specialists
Cal/OSHA regulations
www.cdph.ca.gov/healthinfo/workplace
__
28
Glossary
This glossary defines terms used on Material Safety Data
Sheets (MSDSs) and other reference materials about toxic
chemicals.
ACGIH
acid
alkali
allergen
allergy
ANSI
asphyxiant
asthma
__
29
base
See alkali.
BEI
boiling point
Cal/OSHA
carcinogen
CAS number
caustic
ceiling limit
cell
chromosome
combustible
concentration
__
30
corrosive
decomposition
dermal
dermatitis
dose
edema
endocrine disruptors
epidemiology
evaporation
evaporation rate
explosive limits
__
31
exposed, exposure
flammable
flash point
gene
g
IDLH
ignition temperature
incompatible
industrial hygienist
inflammation
ingestion
inhalation
irritant
kg
Breathing in a substance.
A substance which can cause an inflammatory response or
reaction of the eye, skin, or respiratory system.
Kilogram, a metric unit of mass, equal to 1000 grams.
Also equal to approximately 2.2 pounds.
__
32
latency
LEL
LC50 , LC50
LD50, LD50
liter
melting point
mg/kg
mg/m3
mg
mmHg
monomer
MSDS
MSHA
mutagen
NFPA
__
33
odor threshold
organic chemicals
OSHA
PEL
pH
polymerization
ppb
ppm
__
34
psi
pulmonary edema
reaction
reactivity
reproductive
respirator
respiratory
solubility
solution
solvent
STEL
teratogen
TLV
trade name
TWA
__
35
UEL
vapor pressure
volatility
__
36
On the Web
Do you want to learn more about workplace health and safety?
The California Department of Public Health has up-to-date links to helpful,
reliable information on:
Workplace hazards
Worker rights
Workers compensation
Spanish-language resources
Cal/OSHA regulations
www.cdph.ca.gov/healthinfo/workplace
Find HESIS and Occupational Health Branch publications, news, and project
reports:
www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/ohb