Hazardous Substances Demand Your Respect

You may be at risk of accidental poisonings, chemical burns, or suffocation. It depends on where you work and the substances you handle. Knowing and following the right safety steps can help keep you safe. These are some of the hazards you may come across:

• Asphyxiants. Gases that displace or dilute breathable air (oxygen) can cause suffocation in large quantities. (Examples: carbon dioxide and nitrogen.)

• Carcinogens. Chemicals that can cause cancer after many years if you unknowingly swallow, breathe them in, or soak them up through your skin. (Examples: asbestos, radon, vinyl chloride, and benzene.)

• Compressed gases. These substances are often stored in cylinders under high pre. This can knock down people or walls.

• Corrosives. Acids or alkaline substances can penetrate or burn through the skin. (Examples: nitric, sulfuric, or hydrochloric acid, and sodium hydroxide.)

• Flammables. Liquids, vapors, or gases that can catch fire or explode when exposed to a flame, an operating electrical tool, or even a simple static spark. (Examples: methane and propane.)

• Teratogens. Chemicals that can lead to birth defects. (Examples: isotretinoin, excess vitamin A, alcohol, and thalidomide.)

• Toxic chemicals. Substances that can damage the body's organs when they're inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin. (Examples: lead, cadmium, and pesticides.)