Cancer Causing Chemicals

Objectives

• Define Carcinogens
• Discuss the Local Written Policy
• Discuss the Physical and Health Hazards of Carcinogens
• Discuss Employee Protective Measures
• Discuss Carcinogen Warning Labels
• Introduce the Basic Safety Rules for Carcinogen Use

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Learning Outcomes

• Recognize Situations Where Carcinogens Are Present
• Understand the Local Hazcom Written Policy
• Select Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment
• Understand Warning Labels
• Successfully Produce Appropriate Warning Labels
• Understand the Basic Safety Rules for Carcinogen Use

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Course Basis

• 32,000,000 Workers Exposed to Chemicals Daily
• 575,000 Existing Chemical Products
• Bhopal India Tragedy December 1984
• OSHA Hazard Communication Standard

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• Standard: 29 CFR 1910.1200
• Establishes Worker Right-to-Know?Program
• Requires Written Hazcom Program
• Requires Use of Material Safety Data Sheets
• Requires Use of Labels and Other Warnings
• Requires Carcinogens to Be Listed
• Requires Hazards and Precautions Be Explained

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Industrial Disaster

• The 'Bhopal Disaster' was an industrial disaster that occurred in Bhopal, India, resulting in the deaths of more than 3,000 people, according to the Indian Supreme Court. A more probable figure is that 8,000 died within two weeks, and it is estimated that the same number have since died from gas related diseases. However, testimonies from doctors who provided medical assistance during the tragedy claim over 15,000 were dead in the first month alone.
• The incident took place in the early hours of the morning of December 3, 1984, in the heart of the city of Bhopal in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. A Union Carbide subsidiary pesticide plant released 40 tons of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas, killing approximately 3,800 people. Bhopal disaster is frequently cited as one of the world's worst industrial disasters.
• Today, more than 100,000 people have permanent injuries, light or severe. The groundwater around the plant area is contaminated, and the question of cleaning up the area is still unsolved.

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What is Carcinogen?

• Any substance that is capable of causing cancer.
• Cancer is the abnormal or uncontrolled growth of new cells in any part of the body, characterized by cells that tend to invade surrounding tissue and metastasize to new body sites.
• Carcinogens are chronic toxins. They cause damage after repeated or long-duration exposure. They may have no immediate apparent harmful effects, with cancer developing only after a long latency period.

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What is Carcinogen?

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• Can Induce a Malignant Tumor in Humans
• Has a Potential to Cause Cancer
• Can Cause or Accelerate Tumors
• Some Confirmed or Suspected Human Carcinogens

CARCINOGENIC:

- Acrylimide - Beryllium - Nickel Sulfide

- Acrylonitrile - Calcium Chromate - Tetranitromethane

- 4-Aminodiphenyl - Chromium (Vi) - O-Tolidine

- Arsenic - Ethylene Dichloride - Vinyl Bromide

- Benzine - Ethylene Oxide - Xylidine

- Benzidine - Lead Chromate - Zinc Chromates

Reproductive Toxins

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• Potential to Cause Mutation in the Genetic Code
• Can Cause Changes in Chromosomes
• Review the Respective Material Safety Data Sheet
• Agents Shown to Cause Potential Mutagenic Effects

- Hydrogen Peroxide (a Bleaching Agent)

- Ethyleneimine (an Alkylating Agent)

- Ethylene Oxide (Hospital Sterilant)

- Hydrazine (Used in Rocket Fuel)

- Ionizing Radiation Exposure

- Benzene

MUTAGENS:

Reproductive Toxins

TERATOGEN:

• The Study of Congenital Malformations
• First Correlated German Measles to Birth Defects
• Causes of Congenital Malformations
• Heredity
• Maternal Diseases Like German Measles
• Maternal Viral Infections During Pregnancy
• Maternal Malnutrition
• Physical Injury
• Ionizing Radiation Exposure
• Chemical Exposure

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Reproductive Toxins

• TERATOGEN:
• Review the Respective Material Safety Data Sheet
• Agents Having Conclusive Teratogenic Effects
• Anesthetic Gases
• Organic Mercury Compounds
• Ionizing Radiation
• German Measles
• Thalidomide

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What are Carcinogenic Materials?

• Asbestos
• Ionizing radiation
• Certain chemicals
• Coal tars and coke oven emissions
• Hardwood sawdust (certain species)
• Natural products (progesterone, safrole)
• Ultraviolet radiation
• Tobacco smoke

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What is a Chemical Carcinogen?

• Any discrete chemical compound which has been shown to cause cancer in human or animal studies.
• Hundreds of individual compounds have been shown to induce cancers. Thousands of additional compounds are suspected carcinogens.
• Many are commonly used in laboratory operations, shops and art studios.
• Most of them can be seen in the construction as insulation materials, gaskets, brake lining, spray insulation, rockwool, glasswool

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Carcinogen Materials in Construction

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DW-HSE-TM032

Carcinogen Materials in Construction

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Determining Carcinogenicity

• Epidemiological studies determine the relationship between a cancer suspect chemical and a human population over a long period of time.
• Animal studies directly induce cancer in test animals using a large sample of animals, usually of two or more species with varying dose and time parameters.
• Experiments with animals are based on the premise that chemicals that produce cancer in animals will have similar effects on human cells. Most known human carcinogens produce cancer in experimental animals.

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Classes that Tend to be Carcinogen

• Epoxides: Ethylene oxide Propylene oxide

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• Organohalogens: Vinyl chloride Carbon tetrachloride

Chloroform

Hexachlorobenzene

Trichloroethylene

• Hydrazines: Hydrazine (and salts)

1,2-Dimethylhydrazine

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Classes that Tend to be Carcinogen

• N-Nitroso compounds: N-Nitrosodimethylamine
• Aromatic Amines: Benzidine

Aniline

o-Anisidine

o-Toluidine

• Aromatic hydrocarbons: Benzene

Benz[a]anthracene

Benzo[a]pyrene

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Diethyl Benzene

Classes that Tend to be Carcinogen

• Misc. organic compounds: Formaldehyde

Acetaldehyde

1,4-Dioxane

Ethyl carbamate

2-Nitropropane

Styrene

Thiourea

Thioacetamide

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Classes that Tend to be Carcinogen

• Inorganic Compounds: Arsenic and compounds

Chromium and compounds

Thorium dioxide

Beryllium and compounds

Cadmium and compounds

Lead and compounds

Nickel and compounds

Selenium sulfide

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Routes of Entry

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ROUTES OF ENTRY

• INHALATION
• INGESTION
• ABSORPTION
• INJECTION

Routes of Entry

ROUTES OF ENTRY

• Inhalation
• A Dose Absorbed Through the Lungs Into the Bloodstream
• Absorption
• A Dose That Is Absorbed Through the Skin or Eyes

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Routes of Entry

ROUTES OF ENTRY

• Ingestion
• A Dose That Is Absorbed Through the Gastro-Intestinal Tract From Eating, Drinking or Smoking
• Injection
• A Dose That Is Absorbed Via Broken Glass, Spray Guns, Needles, Compressed Air, Knives Etc.

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Target Organs for Carcinogens

• Skin
• Liver
• Lungs
• Kidney
• Reproductive system
• Many other organs and tissues

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Cancer Development Factors

• Dose: Amount and length of exposure. The lower the dose the less likely you are to develop cancer or related diseases.
• Environmental or Lifestyle factors
• Cigarette smoking (co-carcinogen)
• Alcohol consumption (co-carcinogen)
• Diet--high fat consumption, natural antioxidants
• Geographic location--industrial areas, UV light
• Therapeutic drugs--some are known carcinogens
• Inherited conditions

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Reducing Exposure

• Engineering controls-- exhaust ventilation
• Personal protective equipment
• Personal hygiene
• Labeling and storage of containers
• Housekeeping and maintenance
• Regulated areas
• Decontamination and emergency procedures
• Monitoring
• Administrative controls

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Engineering Controls

• General room ventilation: 10 or more changes of air per hour. Designed to reduce exposures below the permissible exposure limit (PEL). Many carcinogens have a very low exposure limit.
• Fume hoods: Full open face velocity of 80 to 100 l.f.p.m.. combined with a dry ice capture test.
• Local ventilation: Exhaust (sometimes supply) at the point of use of a chemical. Elephant trunk or slot hood.

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Engineering Controls

• Carcinogen glove box or environmental chamber
• Biosafety cabinet--used for anticancer drugs, viruses
• No benchtop work in a laboratory setting

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Personal Protective Equipment

• Respiratory protection: Dust masks, respirators. Respirators are primarily for use in non-lab areas, except for emergency response (spill cleanup)--shops, floor stripping, construction operations (painting).
• Eye protection: Safety glasses, splash goggles, face shields.
• Hand protection: Gloves, protective sleeves.
• Protective clothing: Lab coats, aprons, Tyvek garments.
• OSHA standards for personal protective equipment supersede other OSHA standards.

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Personal Hygiene

• No smoking, eating, drinking or application of cosmetics is permitted in areas where carcinogens are in use (or in any lab area!).
• Wash hands and any exposed skin if potentially contaminated--face, neck, forearms, etc.
• No shorts or open toed shoes.
• Remove lab coat or other potentially contaminated protective clothing before leaving the work area. Lab coats need to be cleaned regularly; special washing instructions may be needed. Contaminated disposable clothing should be treated as hazardous waste

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Labeling of Containers

• All containers of chemical carcinogens need to have a warning label affixed to them. A Right-to-Know (RTK) style label must be on any container of material that is repackaged or made into a solution more than 0.1%.
• All areas where carcinogens may be used, present or stored should have prominently displayed warning signs or labels both in the areas and access to them. Some warning signs and labels are described by specific standards.

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Labeling of Containers

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DANGER -- CONTAINS

___________________

CANCER HAZARD

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Storage

• Carcinogens: Stored separately from other materials.
• Separated: Shelving system or secondary containment.
• Secondary containment: Placing chemical containers in an outer container to prevent the release of a chemical in the event that its container breaks or ruptures.
• Desiccators, plastic boxes, bottle-in-can are acceptable secondary containment.
• Storage areas: Labeled Danger--Carcinogens Stored Here.

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Housekeeping and Maintenance

• Keep all work surfaces and equipment clean.
• Dry sweeping or compressed air cleaning of floors or work surfaces is prohibited.
• Dry cleaning of surfaces and equipment must be done by vacuum systems with high-efficiency filters.
• All contaminated floor sweepings, debris (paper towels, plasticware), discarded filters from respirators or vacuums must be bagged, properly labeled and properly disposed of.

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Regulated Areas

• Establish regulated or designated areas for the use of carcinogens. (Required in Lab Standard.)
• Locations where entry and exit or use of an area is restricted to the use of carcinogens.
• Only authorized persons trained in the use of the carcinogens present may use these areas when such materials are in use.
• Regulated areas are usually under negative pressure (fume hood) to contain carcinogens in the hood or room.

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Decontamination and Emergency Procedures

• Safety shower and eyewash station nearby.
• Special solutions or solvents on hand if required for decontamination of skin, eyes.
• Spill mixtures and cleanup materials for spills on hand.
• All used spill cleanup materials must be treated as hazardous waste.
• Respirator may be needed for spill cleanup.

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Decontamination and Emergency Procedures

• Incidental spills may be cleaned up by trained company personnel.
• Larger spills may require notification of emergency response personnel.
• Fire extinguisher should be on hand as required. (Training needed).
• Written emergency response plan should be reviewed during training. (Training required)

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Monitoring

• If a PEL may be exceeded, personal exposure monitoring is required.
• Area monitoring may be required in some cases.
• Medical monitoring may be required if it is anticipated that PELs may be exceeded.
• Examination by a physician, blood tests, etc. Required whenever there is a spill or other emergency.
• Results of monitoring must be supplied to the employee.
• Records of exposures,. monitoring, and medical exams must be kept for 30 years.

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Administrative Control

• Material Safety Data Sheets and other information.
• Training: All employees using carcinogens must be trained in the recognition of the physical and health hazards associated with the carcinogens they are working with, methods to detect the presence or release of a carcinogen and ways to protect themselves from exposure to the carcinogens with which they are working.
• Specialized training may be required.
• Written exposure control plan reviews.
• Limitations on the duration of exposure.

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Inventory & Waste Carcinogens

• With very few exceptions (dilute formaldehyde solutions) carcinogens may never be discharged to the sanitary sewer.
• Carcinogens may never be disposed of in ordinary trash.
• Waste containers must be properly labeled, sealed at all times (except when adding or removing waste) and they must have secondary containment.
• Dry wastes must be properly disposed of.

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Inventory & Waste Carcinogens

• Plan the use of carcinogens carefully.
• Substitute less hazardous materials.
• Purchase in the smallest possible quantities.
• Do not allow inventories to accumulate.
• Promptly dispose of no longer needed materials.
• Detoxify carcinogens when capable.

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Carcinogen Materials Handling Procedure

• Carcinogen materials handling procedure relevant to safety and health considerations need to be developed when carcinogens are in use.
• A Carcinogen materials handling procedure may be developed for an individual carcinogen, a process or a class of chemicals.

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Carcinogen Materials Handling Procedure

Procedure must contain:

• The name and location of the chemical
• Purchasing and usage authorization
• Training requirements
• Location of use
• PPE required
• Methods of waste disposal
• Decontamination measures
• First aid measures
• Spill control measures
• Emergency phone numbers
• And any other relevant information.
• Employees must be trained in the content of the procedure

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Cancer Causing Chemicals Safety Program

• Detailed Carcinogen Materials Handling Procedure
• Extensive Employee Training Programs
• Periodic Reinforcement of Training
• Sufficient Discipline Regarding Implementation

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