FAQ Friday - October 2023

-

 

AHCES FAQ Friday October 2023

This FAQ Friday is focused on questions about hazardous chemical definitions.

If you have any hazard communication questions or safety questions about common chemicals, ask in the comments below or send an email to contact@ariadne-hces.com. 

What is the Difference Between a Hazardous Chemical and a Hazardous Material?

Both Hazardous Chemical and Hazardous Material have technical definitions within government regulations.

Hazardous chemical means any chemical which is classified as a physical hazard or a health hazard, a simple asphyxiant, combustible dust, pyrophoric gas, or hazard not otherwise classified.

29 CFR 1910.1200(c) “Hazardous chemical”

Hazardous material means a substance or material that the Secretary of Transportation has determined is capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce, and has designated as hazardous under section 5103 of Federal hazardous materials transportation law (49 U.S.C. 5103). The term includes hazardous substances, hazardous wastes, marine pollutants, elevated temperature materials, materials designated as hazardous in the Hazardous Materials Table (see 49 CFR 172.101), and materials that meet the defining criteria for hazard classes and divisions in part 173 of subchapter C of this chapter.

49 CFR 105.5 “Hazardous material”

The term “hazardous chemical” is used in OSHA regulations pertaining to occupational health and safety at the workplace. The term “hazardous material” is used in PHMSA regulations pertaining to the transportation of materials which can pose a danger during transport.

Are All Chemicals Hazardous?

Not all chemicals meet the technical definition of being a hazardous chemical or hazardous material as listed above.

A classic example is common salt or sodium chloride. In normal uses as a seasoning, table salt is safe. However, if a person consumes a large amount of salt, they could get very ill. That does not make salt a hazardous substance, because it does not have a qualifying toxicity value.

Additionally, some materials may meet the definition of being a hazardous chemical but not meet the definition of a hazardous material. An example of this is titanium dioxide, which is a health hazard for the purposes of a hazardous chemical, but is not hazardous for transportation and therefore is not a hazardous material.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Orange Oil Safety Guide

-
Image
What is Orange Oil? Orange oil, also known as orange essential oil and orange terpene, is a mixture of naturally occurring oils found in the rind of the orange fruit. The primary component of the oil mixture is d-limonene. Orange oil is popular as a fragrance used in aromatherapy, candle making, and soap making. It is also sold as a cleaning agent, often being the primary ingredient in many products sold as a "natural cleaner" or "natural degreaser." Orange terpene, as a mixture of naturally derived oils, has the CAS Number 8028-48-6. Pure D-Limonene has the CAS Number 5989-27-5. The CAS Number is used to identify orange oil as an ingredient on safety data sheets (SDS) and other safety documents. When looking for orange oil as an ingredient in fragrances, cleaning agents, or other products, look for the above CAS Numbers within the composition table. Notable Properties of Orange Oil Orange oil is valued for its fragrance, smelling like citrus, as well as being a deg
Read more

Mica Powder Safety Guide

-
Image
What is Mica Powder? Mica is a group of natural hydrous silicate minerals noted for their lustrous shine, which makes it a popular additive in powder pigments. Mica can be found both in cosmetics and in artists' pigments used in painting, epoxy resin, soapmaking, and other crafts. Mica groups several different naturally occurring hydrous silicate minerals, including the more common biotite and muscovite, as well as lepidolite, margarite, phlogopite, roscoelite, and zimmwaldite. Mica has a CAS Number 12001-26-2. The CAS Number is used to identify mica as an ingredient on safety data sheets (SDS) and other safety documentation. When looking for mica as an ingredient in pigments, colorants, finishes, or other materials, look for the CAS Number within the composition table. Notable Properties of Mica Powder Mica is most noted for its lustrous shine or shimmer due to the shape of the hydrous silicate crystals. It is naturally colorless and odorless, with any color or odor coming from na
Read more

Safety Glasses versus Safety Goggles - Which to Wear?

-
Image
Safety Glasses are on the Left and Safety Goggles are on the Right What is the Difference Between Safety Glasses and Safety Goggles? Safety glasses and safety goggles are both types of eye protection. Choosing which type to wear for a given task is an important part of safety, both in the workplace and when working on home projects or crafts. Safety glasses have a frame, lenses, and side shields. Safety glasses offer protection against impacts but do not offer protection against liquid splashes or fine dust. Safety glasses may be worn over prescription glasses, though this is generally uncomfortable and prone to slippage. It is possible to purchase safety glasses with prescription lenses. Safety goggles have a frame, lens, side shields, and a sealing surface. The sealing surface allows safety goggles to protect against liquid splashes and fine dust from reaching the eyes, as well as from impacts. Safety goggles can be worn over prescription glasses. It is also possible to purchase safe
Read more