Implementation of Chemical Health, Safety, and Environmental Risk Assessment in Laboratories: A Case-Series Study

Frontiers in Public Health

article

Farin Fatemi¹  Alireza Dehdashti¹  Mohammadreza Jannati³ 

[1] Department of Occupational Health, Research Center of Health Sciences and Technologies, Semnan University of Medical Sciences;Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences;Student Research Committee, Semnan University of Medical Sciences;Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Memorial University of Newfoundland

关键词: chemicals;    risk assessment;    academic;    laboratories;    safety;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpubh.2022.898826

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Introduction Characterizing risks associated with laboratory activities in universities may improve health, safety, and environmental management and reduce work-related diseases and accidents. This study aimed to develop and implement a chemical risk assessment method to determine and prioritize more hazardous chemicals in the academic laboratories. Methods A case-series study was conducted at five academic laboratories and research facilities of an Iranian medical sciences university in 2021. A risk assessment was developed and implemented in three phases to identify, evaluate, and classify potential risks and hazards. The approach provided an innovative tool for evaluating and prioritizing risks in chemical laboratories. Hazards were classified on a five-level scale. The technique reviewed both quantitative and qualitative data and pieces of evidence using Laboratory Safety Guidance (OSHA), Occupational Hazard Datasheet (ILO), the standards of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) codes. Results Overall, the frequency of risks rated from “moderate” to “very high” levels was determined for the health hazards (9.3%), environmental hazards (35.2%), and safety hazards (20.4%). Hydrochloric acid had a high consumption rate in laboratory operations and received the highest risk levels in terms of potential hazards to employees' health and the environment. Nitric acid, Sulfuric acid, Formaldehyde, and Sodium hydroxide were assessed as potential health hazards. Moreover, Ethanol and Sulfuric acid were recognized as safety hazards. We observed adequate security provisions and procedures in academic laboratory operations. However, the lack of awareness concerning health, safety, environmental chemical hazards, and inappropriate sewage disposal systems contributed to the increasing levels of laboratory risk. Conclusions Chemicals used in laboratory activities generate workplace and environmental hazards that must be assessed, managed, and risk mitigated. Developing a method of rating health, safety, and environmental risks related to laboratory chemicals may assist in defining and understanding potential hazards. Our assessment suggested the need for improving the risk perception of individuals involved in handling chemicals to prevent exposure from workplace duties and environmental pollution hazards.

【 授权许可】

CC BY