What Are Chemical Hazards? How Do You Properly Dispose of Them?

Exposure to hazardous chemicals led to two million deaths worldwide in 2019. That’s a 29% increase from the count back in 2016! What’s more, the majority of those fatalities resulted from accidental exposure.

Accidental exposure, in turn, can result from a lack of awareness of chemical hazards. That’s why it pays to learn about their perils because these substances can be in your home.

So, what are chemical hazards, and how can they affect your health? How do you even dispose of these dangerous substances?

This chemical hazard guide answers all those questions, so be sure to keep reading.

What Are Chemical Hazards?

Chemical hazards refer to the potential of substances to endanger health and life. Exposure to these dangers can cause acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) health effects.

There are several classes of chemical hazards, and a substance can fall under one or more of them.

Asphyxiants

Asphyxiants are gases that deprive the body of oxygen. They can do so by either interfering with oxygen absorption or transportation. Exposure to these chemicals can cause unconsciousness or even death by asphyxiation (suffocation).

An example of an asphyxiant is carbon monoxide (CO), an odorless and colorless gas. It usually forms through the incomplete combustion of fuels.

CO poisoning is lethal, killing more than 400 individuals in the US annually. Exposure to it also lands 50,000 people in US emergency departments each year.

Corrosives

Chemical corrosives are substances that can cause visible damage to living tissues. They’re so potent that they can even destroy metal. The destruction they cause can begin as soon as they touch the skin or another material.

Corrosives can burn body tissues on contact and cause severe eye irritation. Breathing in their vapors can also irritate or destroy the respiratory tract lining. Moreover, their ingestion can damage the tissues lining the mouth, throat, and stomach.

Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) is a common chemical corrosive often found in drain cleaners. It’s also a common ingredient in household toilet bowl cleaners.

Carcinogens

Carcinogens are chemicals believed or known to cause cancer. As of the latest report, 256 of these substances now exist.

Benzene, a colorless, sweet-smelling liquid, is one of the most common carcinogens. It’s in crude oil, gasoline, plastics, resins, pesticides, lubricants, and detergents.

Researchers believe benzene exposure can cause acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Studies also link it to acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and multiple myeloma.

Combustibles and Flammables

Combustibles and flammables are chemicals that easily ignite or burn. The chief difference between them is their flashpoint.

The flashpoint is the lowest temperature when a chemical starts to give off vapors that can burn. Combustibles have a higher flashpoint; they can ignite at 100° or below 200° Fahrenheit. As for flammables, it’s below 100° F.

Diesel fuel and motor oil are examples of combustibles. By contrast, acetone, alcohols, and toluene are flammables, as they burn below 100° F.

Irritants

Irritants are substances that harm the eyes, skin, and respiratory system. They usually cause short-term yet severe illnesses. For instance, they can cause rashes or skin redness, coughing, or internal bleeding.

Irritants can be fatal, though, especially to people who have allergies to them.

Some examples of chemical irritants are ammonia, formaldehyde, sulfur dioxide, and halogens.

Mutagens

Mutagens can alter a cell’s deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). The changes they bring can prevent normal body functions or lead to malfunctions. Worse, some mutagenic chemicals can cause cancer.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a mild skin antiseptic, is an example of a weak mutagen. While it’s not a carcinogen, it can still cause DNA damage and, ultimately, cell death. For instance, dermal exposure can cause a bleaching effect on the skin.

Neurotoxins

Neurotoxins are chemicals that alter the nervous system’s functions or structure. Their effects can be temporary, for instance, slurred speech due to alcohol intoxication. Others are chronic, including loss of memory or cognitive function.

Methylene chloride, also known as dichloromethane, is an example of a neurotoxin. It’s an ingredient in organic-based paint strippers, insecticides, and spray paint.

Dichloromethane hazards include respiratory effects, such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breathing. Exposure can also cause mental confusion, eye and skin irritation, or even burns.

Reactive

Chemicals classified as reactive can explode when combined with other substances. Such hazards can occur whether they mix with other chemicals or non-chemical agents (i.e., water or air).

Benzoyl peroxide, an ingredient used in acne treatments, is a reactive chemical. It can explode if exposed to heat, friction, or shock. Moreover, it’s flammable.

Teratogens

Teratogens are substances that can interfere with a fetus’ normal development. For instance, exposure to them can lead to congenital disabilities. They may even disrupt the healthy progression of a pregnancy.

Thalidomide, a drug used to treat morning sickness from the 1950s to the 1960s, is a teratogen. It caused disabilities in the babies of women who took it during pregnancy. It’s still available today, although not for the same uses but as a treatment for multiple myeloma.

How Do You Dispose of Chemicals?

Proper chemical hazard disposal helps prevent or minimize exposures to their dangers. Moreover, correct chemical waste management keeps them from contaminating the environment.

Call your local health or waste agency if you need to dispose of household hazardous waste (HHW). Ask if your community has a year-round HHW collection program. If it does, ask for the schedules and if you need to bring the waste materials to a designated location.

If your area doesn’t have one, see if there’s a hazardous waste management facility near you. You can use the EPA’s online RCRAInfo tool to locate waste handlers.

Local auto body shops and garages may also accept used vehicle oils and fluids for recycling. Ask your mechanic if you can drop off these chemicals the next time you bring your ride for service.

Reduce Chemical Use to Avoid Hazards

There you have it, the guide that answers the question, “what are chemical hazards?” Now you know that they’re a substance’s potential to cause injury, illness, or even death.

For that reason, always handle and dispose of chemicals with care, or better yet, reduce their use. The less you rely on these substances, the lower your exposure risk to their perils.

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