Frequently Asked Questions
The scientific designation of a chemical in accordance with the nomenclature system developed by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) or the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) rules of nomenclature, or a name which will clearly identify the substance for the purpose of conducting a hazard evaluation. The CAS Number (sometimes described as a Registry Number or RN) consists of up to nine digits and provides an accurate way of retrieving a substance from a computer database.
Health hazard: OSHA defines a health hazard as a chemical for which there is statistically significant evidence based on at least one study conducted in accordance with established scientific principles that acute or chronic health effects may occur in exposed employees. Chemicals covered by this definition include carcinogens, toxic or highly toxic agents, reproductive toxins, irritants, corrosives, sensitizers, hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, agents that act on the hematopoietic system, and agents that damage the lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes.
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is designed to provide both workers and emergency personnel with the proper procedures for handling or working with a particular substance. SDS's include information such as physical data (melting point, boiling point, flash point etc.), toxicity, health effects, first aid, reactivity, storage, disposal, protective equipment, and spill/leak procedures. These are of particular use if a spill or other accident occurs.
Chemical Abstracts Service registry number, is a unique number for each chemical. The unique identification number assigned by the chemical abstracts service to specific chemical substances. CAS number (Also CAS RN) a unique accession number assigned by the chemical abstracts service, a division of the American Chemical Society. Other than being guaranteed unique to a given compound, this number has no particular meaning. CAS registry numbers are assigned to every uniquely identifiable substance, so 'Cis-2-Hexene', 'Trans-2-Hexene', and '2-Hexene' (a mixture with unspecified Cis/Trans composition) are all assigned separate CAS numbers.
Material that can induce severe burns at the site of contact examples are Sulfuric acid, Nitric acid and Sodium hydroxide.
Bill of lading is a document issued on behalf of the carrier describing the kind and quantity of goods being shipped, the shipper, the consignee, the ports of loading and discharge and the carrying vessel.
Solid or liquid substance or waste which is in itself capable by chemical reaction of producing gas at such a temperature and pressure and at such speed as to cause damage to the surroundings.
A non-explosive material that is capable of producing fire as a result of friction, heat retained from production or which, if ignited, produces a serious transportation hazard.
A liquid, which has a flash point of less than 60°C. It is capable of causing fire through friction or absorption of moisture, or can undergo spontaneous chemical change, which can result in vigorous and persistent burning under standard temperature and pressure.
Flash point means the minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off vapor within a test vessel in sufficient concentration to form an ignitable mixture with air near the surface of the liquid.
A material, which is in itself not combustible, may cause or contribute to the combustion of other material generally by yielding oxygen.
A substance that adversely affects one's health by causing injury, illness, or death. These are often marked with skull and crossbones.
In relation to two or more substances or items, means that they will not react together to cause fire, explosion, harmful reaction or the evolution of flammable, toxic or corrosive vapors.
The term labeling means a printed hazard warning notice, which identifies the primary and secondary hazards specific to a material and information about handling.
Radioactive substance means a radionuclide or mixture of radio nuclides, either alone or in chemical combination with other elements.
Generally addressing plant treatment products used to protect plants against diseases, and includes antibacterial and antifungal products and often herbicides as well. This may eventually include non-agricultural uses of antimicrobials.
1. Explosive substances and articles
2. Gases
3. Flammable liquids
4.1 Flammable solids, self-reactive substances and solid desensitized explosives
4.2 Substances liable to spontaneous combustion
4.3 Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases
5.1 Oxidizing substances
5.2 Organic peroxides
6.1 Toxic substances
6.2 Infectious substances
7. Radioactive material
8. Corrosive substances
9. Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles
2. Gases
3. Flammable liquids
4.1 Flammable solids, self-reactive substances and solid desensitized explosives
4.2 Substances liable to spontaneous combustion
4.3 Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases
5.1 Oxidizing substances
5.2 Organic peroxides
6.1 Toxic substances
6.2 Infectious substances
7. Radioactive material
8. Corrosive substances
9. Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles
It is a system created by United Nations. The aim of the GHS is to have, worldwide, the same criteria for classifying chemicals according to their health, environmental and physical hazards; and also hazard communication requirements for labeling and safety data sheets.
The quantitative or qualitative expression of possible loss that considers both the probability that a hazard will cause harm and the consequences of that event.
Any material or by-product that is discarded by being abandoned (i.e., disposed of, burned, or incinerated, recycled), or considered inherently waste-like.
Irritants are chemicals that can inflame the eyes, skin, or respiratory system. Ammonia is an example of an irritant
Physical hazard: OSHA defines a physical hazard as a chemical for which there is scientifically valid evidence that it is a combustible liquid, a compressed gas, explosive, flammable, an organic peroxide, an oxidizer, pyrophoric, unstable (reactive), or water-reactive.