Safety is important in any workplace. Whether you're in a laboratory, manufacturing facility, or office space, hazardous chemicals can pose significant risks to employee health and safety if not handled properly. Understanding the most common hazardous chemicals found in various work environments is essential for employers and employees alike. In this blog, we’ll examine the most prevalent hazardous chemicals encountered in the workplace and the importance of HAZWOPER training in mitigating associated risks.

1. Hydrochloric Acid

Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a chemical that is used not only in fields like steel processing but also in products such as household toilet bowl cleaners and pool sanitizers. It can damage the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes on contact. If it is inhaled for prolonged periods of time, it can lead to hoarseness, coughing, respiratory issues, chest pain, and, in severe cases, pulmonary edema. When handling, you should use proper PPE, including rubber gloves, a face shield, and a vapor respirator.

2. Lead

Though use over time has become less common for general consumers, lead can be found in many places, including in car batteries, roofing materials, ammunition, diving and boating equipment, and electronics. Because lead remains solid at normal temperatures, exposure generally occurs by breathing in lead pigments or lead dust, which is very common in construction. Lead exposure is controlled primarily through using alternative materials, but when lead is or must be present, it can be controlled by using respirators as well as disposable clothing and coverings. Lead can contaminate clothing and food, making it important to isolate exposure when lead is present.

3. Pesticides

Common use of pesticides has led to around 3 million acute illnesses and over 700,000 chronic illnesses yearly. Depending on the type of pesticide, the health effects of exposure to pesticides include skin irritation, kidney and liver damage, and damage to the nervous system, hormone system, and endocrine system. Pesticides have also been linked to cancer. Pesticide exposure occurs through respiratory, oral, and skin contact. Exposure can be prevented by wearing a respirator and proper protective clothing, including eye protection, and disposing of cleaning clothing after it has been used.

4. Cadmium

Cadmium is a metal used in various things, from batteries to fertilizers. Exposure is directly linked to industrialization but has also been found in the environment due to electronic waste disposal. High levels of exposure to cadmium causes flu-like symptoms as well as damage to the lungs. Prolonged but low levels of exposure cause more chronic effects, such as lung, bone, and kidney disease.

5. Nitric Acid

Another common ingredient in fertilizer is nitric acid, which is also used in etching and cleaning metals, as well as in explosives. It is a reactive acid, meaning it generates heat when it makes contact with certain other liquids. Nitric acid specifically reacts to water, and though it is not explosive, it reacts violently and explosively with many metals, especially when powdered. Nitric acid can cause immediate severe burns on skin or eye contact and can also cause vomiting and abdominal pain. When handling, you should always wear proper gloves, eye protection, and protective clothing.

6. Mercury

Mercury can be especially dangerous because it is a metal with a low melting point, one of the few that is liquid at room temperature. Mercury poisoning can result in kidney damage, tremors, personality changes, and issues with memory. On contact, mercury is able to absorb into the skin, and in the case of a fire, mercury tends to bind to other elements for other negative health effects. When handling mercury, precautions to avoid hazards, such as proper labeling and transport, should be taken every time, and workers should always wear gloves, eye protection, and clothes. Clothes should be cleaned by professionals trained in washing mercury-contaminated clothing.

7. Lithium Hydroxide

Lithium hydroxide is a valuable corrosive chemical due to its resistance to water and usefulness at both high and low temperatures. It is used as a fine white powder, primarily present in batteries and lubricating grease. Lithium hydroxide causes issues over a more prolonged period but can damage skin on contact and be inhaled. Venting systems should be used when possible. Otherwise, respirators should be used, and protective clothing should be worn.

8. Chromium

Chromium is a naturally occurring metal used in welding and metal processing, including recycling stainless steel and leather tanning. OSHA sets Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) for chromium, which means that workers can safely work in its presence for a set amount of time. Employers can face serious penalties if they are found to violate either time or prevalence limits. Excessive exposure can cause damage to the eyes, flu-like illness, nosebleeds, and damage to the kidneys or liver. Exposure can be prevented with proper protective clothing such as eye protection goggles or a respirator.

Get HAZWOPER Training With OSHA.com

The hazardous chemicals you may encounter on the job vary widely. Though some of these are likely to present themselves, others may not. It is important that you know how to manage chemicals that you will encounter, and for that reason, OSHA requires some employers to not only provide training but also the equipment you will need to protect against exposure.

If you are looking to complete training in managing hazardous chemicals, check out our HAZWOPER course. It covers OSHA’s Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) standards, which is required to avoid and minimize the risk of injury and illness caused by hazardous chemicals. Get started today!