Chemical Hazards

BOHS Series

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December 3rd 1984

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Bhopal Gas Disaster

The Union Carbide Pesticide Plant in Bhopal, released 40 tons of
Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) gas, killing between 2,500 to 5,000 people in
the early hours of the morning.
The Worlds worst Industrial Disaster

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The gas being heavier than air, started entering into the homes of the
unwary population. Many who panicked and ran out also got crushed
in stampedes.
Around 500,000 were estimated to be exposed to the gas & around
20,000 have died as a result. Over 120,000 continue to suffer from
the from the effects of the disaster.

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Doctors and Hospitals were unaware of the nature of the Gas,

nor were they informed of the proper treatment of the
inhalation of MIC gas, being merely asked to give cough
medicine & eye drops.
If they were informed about the same, proper treatment could
have been instituted & a lot of lives could have been saved.

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Red Page in Annals of Occupational

Health
The Bhopal disaster brought into sharp focus the
unprecedented potential of hazardous chemical release in
terms of loss of life, health, injury and evacuation.
It created a compelling evidence to approach disaster
management and chemical safety holistically.
The disaster brought in its wake, an era of restructuring and
inducting new hazardous chemical control systems and
procedures all over the world

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There have been many more such incidents of a relatively

minor nature. One such was a Petroleum tanker accident on
the highway near Mumbai. Spillage of the chemical on to the
road came to the attention of the local impoverished tribal
population, which started collecting the liquid, presuming it to
be cooking fuel. A spark led to a conflagration consuming the
lives of innocents.
Such incidents brought into focus the vulnerability and the
need for Risk assessment of transportation of Hazardous
chemicals.

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Another frequent accident occurs when workers descend into

empty confined spaces such as disused Wells, Food silos,
Sewage channels etc, due to presence of noxious gases such
as H2S & CO.
Many a lives have been lost and even those who tried to save
the victims, due to lack of knowledge, have fallen prey to the
same gas exposure.

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Post Bhopal Gas Disaster

Factories Act was amended to assign responsibility for workplace
safety to the Occupier.
Environment Protection Act was introduced in 1986.
The Manufacture, Storage & Import of Hazardous Chemicals
Rules,1989.
The Chemical Accidents, Emergency Planning, Preparedness and
Response,1996 introduced.

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India at present is achieving new milestones, major economic

breakthroughs and moving ahead towards the vision of a
developed nation. A sustained industrial growth including
progress of the chemical sector is crucial to attaining this goal.
The growth of the chemical sector has led to increase in the
manufacture, storage and use of Hazardous chemicals
(Hazchem) resulting in enhanced threats of accidents.
Occurrence of accidents remains a cause of concern.

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The Indian Chemical Industry contributes to 6.7% of the GDP.

Indian Fertilizer Industry is the fourth largest in the world.
Largest manufacturer of Pesticides in Asia second only to Japan.
Indian Pharmaceutical industry is the largest in the developing
world

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There are around 1790 Major Accident Hazard units in the

country, handling large number of chemicals as raw materials,
in processes, products and wastes with flammable, explosive,
corrosive, toxic and noxious properties.
Handling of large quantities of hazardous chemicals in
installations, isolated storages and during transportation,
poses grave risk of sudden release of copious quantities of
toxicants. This may adversely impact both the communities in
and around the area and the environment.

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Impact of a chemical Disaster

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A chemical substance is a material with a definite chemical

composition.
New chemicals are being discovered daily & at last count there are
about 30 million chemical compounds

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Toxicology
Toxicology is the science concerned with poisons and how they
affect the body.
The main factors which determine the Toxicity of a substance are
Chemical Composition- Some more poisonous than others
Physical State-More toxic in soluble form than gas
Amount
Concentration
Particle Size -especially when inhaled
Routes of Absorption- Inhaled, Skin Contact or Ingestion.
Presence of other poisons -Additive effects
Duration of Exposure

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Duration of Exposure to Chemicals

Acute - Short Mins to Hrs

Sub acute - Longer up to 90 days
Chronic - Prolonged /Repeated over days, months & years.

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Measurement of Toxic Substances

Threshold Limit value (TLV): Time weighted
(average) concentration of an airborne substance to which
workers could be safely exposed over an Eight hour working
day throughout a life time.

Maximum Allowable Concentration (MAC) Peak

or Maximum conc. of an airborne substance to which workers
could be safely exposed.

Biological Limit values (BLV) : Concentration of the

substance in body fluids such as blood & urine below which no
toxic effects should occur.

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Susceptibility to Toxic Chemicals

Genetic factors
State of Health
Hypersensitivity or Allergy
Personal Hygiene & other personal habits
such as Smoking etc.
Pregnancy & lactation.

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Effects, Metabolism & Excretion of

Poisons
Local- contact site such as Skin, URT

Systemic Organs other than portal of entry

In general, effects are on the metabolic processes of the body,
especially enzymes. Others combine with substances essential for
metabolism eg-CO

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Poisons are detoxified in different organs

notably the Liver.
Excretion takes place thro gut, urinary
tract, skin or lungs. May also pass thro
placenta & milk.
Dose -Effect & Dose response
demonstrate the response between the
dose and the magnitude of effect.

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Hazards
Skin Irritation
Eye Irritation
Inhalation Effects
Ingestion Effects
Carcinogenicity
Mutagenecity

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Nature of Chemicals
Inorganic and organometallic Substances- Antimony, Arsenic, Barium,
Beryllium, Cadmium & Chromium compounds, Fluoride, Lead,
Manganese, Mercury, Nickel etc.
Organic Chemicals - Aliphatic Hydrocarbons such as Cyclohexane, nHexane, Methyl pentane
Aromatic Hydrocarbons such as Benzene, Styrene, Toluene & Xylene.
Halogenated Hydrocarbons - Halothane, Trichloroethylene & Vinyl
Chloride.
Amino & Nitro derivatives - Aniline, Nitroglycerine, Trinitrotoluene

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Alcohols, Glycols & derivatives- Ehtylene glycol, Methanol

Cetones- Acetone
Aldehydes-Formaldehyde
Amides & Phenols
Asphyxiants such as Acrylonitrile, Carbon Monoxide,Cyanide &
Aliphatic Nitriles.
Pesticides such as Baygon, Carbaryl, Chlorphenoxyacetic acid
derivatives

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DDT, Dieldrin, Endrin, Hexachlorbenzene

Carbamate Insecticides
Lindane
Organophosphorus esters
Parathion
Mutagenic and carcinogenic Substances
Others such as Carbon Disulfide, Diethylstilboesterol &
Ethylene Oxide

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Lead
Inorganic & Organic
Inorganic Lead Mining & Smelting
Lead Paint
Lead Storage Batteries
Pottery enamelling & glazing
Polyvinyl Plastics-Lead stabilisers
Glass manufacture
Fire arms

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Effects of Lead Exposure

Peripheral Neuropathy
Anaemia
Nephrotoxicity
GI Spasm
Treated with Chelating agents such as BAL, EDTA& Penicillamine.

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Mercury
Inorganic & Organic
In Scientific Measuring Instruments-Thermometers,
barometers,Transformers, Rectifiers
Mercury Vapour Lamps & Storage batteries
Amalgams for Dental use & Jewellery
Seed Dressings & as Pesticides

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Effects of Mercury Exposure

Miamata Bay,Japan- (Untreated Inorganic Mercury released
into sea waters-contaminated Fish.)
Stomatitis, Gingivitis
CNS Dysfunction
Erethism
Tremors
Chronic Nephritis

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Other Metals
Phosphorus - Phossy Jaw (matches)
Arsenic - Smelting, Pesticides, Weed Killer, Metal
smelting, refining, in manuftrng of chemicals &
electronic equipment- Irritant, Peripheral
Neuropathy Haemolytic.
Manganese - Dry Electric batteries- Parkinsons
Syndrome, Psychosis, Pneumonitis
Cadmium - Used as alloy in Welding, batteries,
Dentistry, pigments,paints,pesticidesNephrotoxic, Emphysema.
Nickel- Dermatitis
Chromium- Chrome Ulcers, Necrosis of Nasal
Septum

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Carbon Compounds
Aliphatic & aromatic
Aliphatic -Methyl Alcohol, Tetrachlorethane, Carbon tetrachloride,
Trichlorethylene & Glycols
Aromatic - Benzene, Toluene, Xylene etc.
Exposure- Degreasing, Metal Machining, painting, Welding, Wood
working & Printing.

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Health Effects

Occupational Dermatitis
CNS depressants
CVS disturbances esp CS2
Nephro toxic
Bone Marrow Depression & Leukemia
Carcinogenesis
Chromosomal aberrations

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Pesticides
Poisoning through skin absorption & GI tract.
Insecticides & Fungicides - - Pyrethrum & Pyrethrins (Mosquito
Coils), Organochlorine Compounds such as DDT, Lindane,
Dieldrin & Aldrin, Organophosphate compounds such as
Parathion, Dichlovos, Carbamates & Organic Mercurials.
Herbicides - Arsenicals, Dinitrophenol,Di nitro Ortho
cresol,Phenol herbicides, Paraquat, Diquat, Phenoxy
herbicides.
Rodenticides & Fumigants -Calcium Cyanide, Methyl bromide,
Phosphine, Anticoagulants.

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Gases
Inert, Irritant & gases with Systemic Effects
Inert gases - Act by displacing O2 -Anoxic Anoxia, eg: Methane
Irritant Gases - Flourine & its compounds, Ammonia, Sulphur
Dioxide, Ozone, Phosgene.
Gases with Systemic effects- Carbon Monoxide (Toxic
Anoxia),Carbon Disulfide (Chemical Anoxia), Hydrogen Cyanide &
Cyanide Salts, Acetylene
(Cyanide has a Bitter almonds smell whilst Benzaldehyde has a sweet almonds smell)

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Halogen Gases like Cl2,Br,Flourine,Iodine have an Irritant effect on

URT.
Flourine could cause Flourosis, Fits & Coma.
Ammonia- Irritant, Brochospasm, Pulmonary Oedema &
Respiratory Arrest
Sulfur Dioxide So2 - Lassitude, Chronic Bronchitis, Loss of Smell.
Ozone-Irritant, emphysema, Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Phosgene-Pulmonary Oedema, Fibrosis & Emphysema

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Carbon Monoxide - Anoxia, Headache, Cough, Paralysis, Sensory

Loss, Parkinsonism, Death.
Hydrogen Sulphide - Irritant, Loss of Smell, Giddiness,
Unconsciousness, Death.
Hydrogen Cyanide - Extremely Poisonous. Bitter Almond Smell,
Dermatitis, Headache & Motor Weakness at low conc.
Breathlessness & Coma..
Acetylene - Fume Fever

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General Principles for Prevention &

Control of Exposure at Worksite
Substitution
Segregation
Enclosure
Ventilation
Wet Methods
Personal Protective Devices
Monitoring of Work Environment
Monitoring of Exposed Workers
Education & Supervision
Enforcement
Emergency Measures

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Management of Poisoning Cases

Basic Principles
Removal from further Exposure / Evacuation
Detoxification eg Chelating agents
Supportive Therapy - Oxygen & IV Fluids.

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Conclusion
Need to increase Awareness
About the Industries in your area
About the nature of Chemicals being used, stored and
transported
About their hazards and treatment procedures in the
event of exposure.

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Thank you
Acknowledgements: Dr Chaitanya S Gulvady

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