It is undeniable that chemicals have played an important role in our life. Chemicals such as pesticides not only poisons the environment but also cause irreversible damages to one’s health. However, it is estimated that in the US alone, the chemical industry is worth $450 B with exports of chemical products resulting to $80 B in revenues. Although the chemical industry helps human being better their lives, some chemicals can be detrimental to the health and well-being of the latter. Many companies especially those dealing with chemicals have put up their own regulations concerning labels and transport. Although this action resulted to positive response, the confusion that language barrier and practice can hamper this action and as such, an international system is released to govern and centralized proper handling procedures or practices for chemicals. This dilemma and other concerns gives rise to the GHS System or what is called as Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. The new system aims to centralized the classifications of hazardous materials, labels to be used, transport procedure and the correct use of the chemicals.
The system divided the hazardous chemicals into three different categories – physical, health and environment. Physical includes those materials that produce harm from its liquid or solid form. Physical hazards include those (1) oxidizing, (2) self-heating, (3) self-reactive, (4) organic peroxides and (5) corrosive to metals.
Another type of hazards is those detrimental to the health and environment. To check for acute toxicity; the GHS training provides a guideline that includes the amount that chemical pose threats to human beings. The test includes oral, skin contact, dust and mist, gases and vapors. Health hazard category is divided further on the following consequence of exposure to the chemicals – (1) Irreversible skin corrosion or damage, (2) skin damage, (3) Eye irritation and damage, (4) increase mutation of mutagen in the cell, (5) exposure to cancer causing chemicals, (6) adverse reproductive effects and (7) aspiration toxicity that can cause pulmonary problems. Environmental hazards on the other hand depend on the threat it poses on the aquatic environment as well as the long-term effect it poses.
The total implementation of the GHS would ensure that human life is protected as well as that of other living things. As chemicals will always be a part of our lives, the GHS system, its labeling and classifying will allow a centralized identification of chemical hazards thus ensuring the life and health of everybody. Although the worldwide implementation of the system is not possible at present, GHS training kit is being deployed to help other countries to work and implement the system.
GHS Training Blog 