Chemical Hazards
Examples of Exposures and Chemical Hazards refer to any forms of chemicals including medications, solutions, gases, vapors, aerosols, and particulate matter that are potentially toxic or irritating to the body system.
Examples of Exposures and Chemical Hazards
- Inhalation: Breathing gases, vapors, particulates, dust, or mist
- Ingestion: Accidentally eating or drinking hazardous substances
- Percutaneous: Permeation or absorbing a substance through the skin; piercing or penetration of skin with needle or other sharp device/instrument (e.g., scalpel or broken glass)
- Dermal: Contact with corrosive or sensitizing materials
- Antimicrobial: An agent that destroys microbes, inhibits their growth, or prevents or counteracts their pathogenic action such as antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin, penicillin, and tetracycline)
- Primary routes of exposure: Mucous membrane, dermal absorption, ingestion
- Anesthetic gases: Gases for general anesthesia such as sevoflurane and isoflurane, halothane, nitrous oxide during surgical and dental procedures
- Primary route of exposure: Inhalation
- Antineoplastic drugs: Chemotherapy drugs (e.g., cyclophosphamide, alkylating agents)
- Primary routes of exposure: Dermal absorption, inhalation
- Surface cleaning and disinfecting agents: Antimicrobial agents designed to destroy microorganisms (e.g., bleach, quaternary ammonium compounds, low and intermediate level disinfectants, antiseptics, hand sanitizers, detergents)
- Primary routes of exposure: Inhalation, dermal absorption
- Chemical sterilants: High level disinfection of surgical instruments and medical supplies that cannot withstand the autoclave process (e.g., ethylene oxide (EtO), hydrogen peroxide gas plasma)
- Primary route of exposure: Inhalation
- Immersion disinfecting solutions: High level disinfectants (e.g., glutaraldehyde, orthophthaldehyde, peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide)
- Primary routes of exposure: Inhalation, dermal absorption
- Latex (rubber) products: Worn to protect against bacteria and viruses (e.g., surgical and exam gloves), and tubing, tourniquets, patient care devices, which may cause allergic reactions in exposed workers
- Primary routes of exposure: Dermal contact, inhalation
- Surgical smoke from laser use: Generated by thermal destruction of tissue when using lasers or electrosurgical devices during surgical procedures. Surgical smoke creates a variety of toxic vapors, gases, and particulate matter
- Primary route of exposure: Inhalation
- Other: (e.g., adhesives, solvents used in dentistry, labs, medical/surgical procedures)
- Primary routes of exposure: Inhalation, dermal absorption, percutaneous, ingestion
- Engineering controls that are absent or inadequate: Equipment shielding, container covers/lids, biological safety cabinets
- Labeling: Inadequate, illegible, or absent on original and secondary containers
- Storage: High shelving, incompatible chemicals stored together, flammable chemicals stored near an ignition source
- PPE: Unavailable, not used, improper type/size/fit, inadequate/no training
- Local exhaust ventilation: Not installed, not positioned properly (correct height), poorly maintained, or not used
Last Reviewed: October 3, 2022