CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS

CHEMICAL
is any substance consisting of matter. includes any liquid, solid, or gas. is any pure substance (an element,
compound) or any mixture (a solution, or gas). can either occur naturally or can be created artificially.
(Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.)

Chemical or not?
If anything made of matter is made up of chemicals, which means that only phenomena that aren't
made of matter are not chemicals: Energy is not a chemical. Light, heat, and sound are not chemicals—
nor are thoughts, dreams, gravity, or magnetism.

NATURALLY-OCCURING CHEMICALS
 can be solid, liquid, or gas
 may be made up of individual elements or may contain many elements in the form of molecules
 Gases: Oxygen and nitrogen are naturally-occurring gases. Together, they make up most of the
air we breathe. Hydrogen is the most common naturally-occurring gas in the universe.
 Liquids: Perhaps the most important naturally-occurring liquid in the universe is water. Made
up of hydrogen and oxygen, water behaves differently from most other liquids because it
expands when frozen. This natural chemical behavior has had a profound effect on the geology
geography, and biology of Earth and (almost certainly) other planets.
 Solids: Any solid object found in the natural world is made up of chemicals. Plant fibers, animal
bones, rocks, and soil are all made up of chemicals. Some minerals, such as copper and zinc, are
made entirely from one element. Granite, on the other hand, is an example of an igneous rock
that's made up of multiple elements.

ARTIFICIALLY MADE CHEMICALS

 About 5,000 years ago, we know that people began combining metals (copper and tin) to create
a strong, malleable metal called bronze. The invention of bronze was a major event, as it made it
possible to form a huge range of new tools, weapons, and armor.
 Bronze is an alloy (a combination of multiple metals and other elements), and alloys have
become a staple of construction and trade. Over the past few hundred years, many different
combinations of elements have resulted in the creation of stainless steel, lightweight aluminum,
foils, and other very useful products.
  Artificial chemical compounds have transformed the food industry. Combinations of elements
have made it possible to preserve and flavor food inexpensively. Chemicals are also employed to
create a range of textures from crunchy to chewy to smooth.
 Artificial chemical compounds have also had a profound impact on the pharmaceutical industry.
By combining active and inactive chemicals in pills, researchers and pharmacists are able to
create the medicines required to treat a wide variety of disorders.

CHEMICALS IN OUR DAILY LIVES

 We tend to think of chemicals as being undesirable and unnatural additions to our food and air.
In fact, chemicals make up all of our foods as well as the air we breathe. However, some
chemical compounds added to natural foods or gases can cause significant problems.
 For example, a chemical compound called MSG (monosodium glutamate) is often added to food
to improve its flavor. MSG, however, can trigger headaches and other adverse negative reactions.
 Chemical preservatives make it possible to keep food on the shelves without spoiling, some
preservatives, such as nitrates, have been found to have carcinogenic (cancer-causing)
properties, especially when overused.

CHEMICAL HAZARDS
 is any substance, regardless of its form—that can potentially cause physical and health hazards
to people, or can result in harm to the environment.
 can also be defined as the actual risk associated with specific chemicals, such as skin burns, long-
term negative impact to health, lasting environmental damage, fires, or even explosions.

Common hazardous substances

 Many industrial, agricultural and medical organizations use hazardous substances. The degree of
hazard depends on the concentration of the chemical.
 Common hazardous substances in the workplace include:
 Acids
 caustic substances
 disinfectants
 glues
 heavy metals, including mercury, lead, cadmium and aluminium
 paint
 pesticides
 petroleum products
 solvents.

LABORATORY SAFETY
 In the laboratory, you will use different chemical substances and manipulate laboratory
equipment.
 Some substances are potentially harmful so they should be handled with care.
 Some of the equipment can cause injury so they should be used properly.

A. PERSONAL SAFETY
1. Use safety googles and wear a laboratory gown or apron in the laboratory.
2. Tie back or pin long hair and roll up or fasten long loose sleeves when working with flames.
3. Keep your shoes on in the laboratory to protect your feet in cases of breakage or spills.
4. Remove dangling jewelry to avoid accidents.
5. Never taste any chemicals unless your teacher allow you to do so.
6. Keep your hands off your face when working with chemicals.
7. Should a chemical get in your eyes, wash your eyes with water for about five minutes. Then get
first aid from the teacher or medical staff.
8. In case you cut or burn yourself accidentally, wash your wound with water. Report to the teacher
for proper treatment.
9. Wash your hands with soap and water after each laboratory.

B. SAFETY LABORATORY TECHNIQUES

1. Read and understand all the steps in the procedure before and during the activity. When in
doubt clarify the steps with your teacher.
2. Report all accidents to your teacher immediately.
3. Perform only the assigned activity. Do it only when your teacher or laboratory technician is in
the room.
4. Do not take any chemical or equipment outside the laboratory.
5. Never leave lighted burners or ongoing experiment unattended.
6. When diluting acids, always pour the acid slowly into the water, stirring slowly to release heat.
Never pour water into concentrated acid.
7. In pipetting, use suction bulb, not your mouth to suck air.
8. When heating a liquid in a test tube, direct the mouth of a test tube away from your self and
others.

C. SAFETY IN USING LABORATORY EQUIPMENT

1. Know the location of the fire extinguisher, safety shower, eye wash faucet, fume hood, fire
blanket, and first aid cabinet. Learn how to use these equipment.
2. Use a hot plate instead of an open flame whenever a flammable liquid is within the working
area.
3. Use dispensing devices such as droppers or beakers when getting liquid chemicals from their
container.
4. After the experiment, clean and return all equipment used. Do not pour back excess chemicals
to their container.
 D. SAFE DISPOSAL OF GLASSWARES OR CHEMICALS
1. Dispose of broken glassware in designated container.
2. Dispose of chemicals as follows: Neutralize acids an bases before flashing them down the drain
or disposing in waste container. Dilute salt solutions before flushing them down the drain. Place
heavy metals solutions in designated containers provided for them.
3. Do not throw solid waste as these can clog.

GLOBALLY HARMONIZED SYSTEM (GHS)

 is an internationally-agreed system that provides countries with the regulatory building blocks to
develop or modify existing national programmes.
 sets criteria for the classification of chemical hazards and offers protective measures through
labels and safety data sheets.
 Following-up on Chapter 19 of Agenda 21 from the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, the first official
version of the GHS was endorsed by the United Nations in 2003.
 offers a powerful tool for the sound management of chemicals and waste, workplace safety,
human health and the environment, international trade, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development.

The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) classifies
chemicals by types of hazard.

 It helps you communicate information about hazardous chemicals on labels and safety data
sheets.
 The United Nations created GHS to be a single, global method to: classify chemicals
 Communicate chemical hazards through labels and safety data sheets (SDS). GHS pictograms for
hazards
 The GHS has 9 pictograms that represent the physical, health and environmental hazards of
chemicals.

CHEMICAL HAZARDS SYMBOLS

 are found on some products, as well as bottles of chemical reagents in the lab.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD
 indicates substances that are toxic to aquatic organisms, or may
 cause long lasting environmental effects. They should disposed of
responsibly.

ACUTELY TOXIC
 indicates life-threatening effects, in some cases even after
limited exposure. Any form of ingestion and skin contact should
be avoided.

GAS UNDER PRESSURE

 container contains pressurized gas. This may be cold when
released, and explosive when heated. Containers should not
be heated.

CORROSIVE
 may cause burns to skin and damage to eyes. May also
corrode metals. Avoid skin and eye contact, and do not
breathe vapours.

EXPLOSIVE
 may explode as a consequence of fire, heat, shock or friction.
Chemicals with this label should be kept away from potential
Ignition sources.

FLAMMABLE
 flammable when exposed to heat, fire or sparks, or give off
flammable gases when reacting with water.

MODERATE HAZARD
 may irritate the skin, exhibit minor toxicity. The chemical
 should be kept away from the skin and the eyes as a precaution.

OXIDIZING
 burns even in the absence of air, and can intensify fires in
combustible materials. Should be kept away from ignition sources

HEALTH HAZARD
 short or long term exposure could cause serious long term
effects. Skin contact and ingestion of this chemical should be
voided.

GHS signal words

GHS signal words on chemical labels are:

Danger – for chemicals with more severe or significant hazards

Warning – for chemicals with less severe hazards.

GHS hazard statements GHS classes and categories have certain statements to describe a hazard’s
nature. For example, ‘Toxic if swallowed’ is a hazard statement for Acute Toxicity (Ingestion) Category
The Classification and labelling for workplace hazardous chemicals poster has information about hazard
statements and their classes.

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS

 a document that provides workers with procedures for safely handling or working with a
particular substance. It includes technical information like boiling points, toxicities, reactivities,
and various numbers. includes instructions regarding necessary protective equipment, how to
handle spills, first aid suggestions, storage and disposal, and the general health effects. The exact
contents and requirements vary by country.