DA211-Ch.23 Chemical and Waste Management
Chemical inventory
A list of every product used in the office that contains chemicals.
Precautionary statement
A phrase that describes recommended measures to be taken to minimize or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure to a hazardous chemical, or improper storage or handling of a hazardous chemical.
Hazard statement
A statement assigned to a hazard class and category that describes the nature of the hazard(s) of a chemical, including, where appropriate, the degree of hazard.
Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)
An international approach to hazard communication.
Chemical
Any substance or mixture of substances.
Toxic chemicals
Chemicals that can have a fatal or toxic effect to humans.
Flammable
Readily capable of catching fire.
Chronic exposure
Repeated exposures, generally to lower levels, over a long time.
Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)
Revised Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard regarding employees' "right to know" about hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
All of the following are included in the Hazard Communication Program
SDS with a specified 16-section format, a chemical inventory of products in the office that contain hazardous chemicals, and employee training documentation.
The section of a SDS that describes proper methods of containment and cleanup is
Section 6—Accidental release measures
The section of the SDS listing precautions for storage incompatibilities is
Section 7—Handling and storage.
The protocol recommended by manufacturers of eyewash units to reduce microbial content in the waterline is a _____-minute flushing __________.
3; weekly
Health hazard
A chemical for which acute or chronic health effects may occur in an exposed employee.
Physical hazard
A chemical that is a combustible liquid, a compressed gas, or an explosive material or is flammable-reactive or water-reactive.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Form provided by the chemical manufacturer that provides printed information regarding the hazards of materials and products that contain chemicals.
Pictograms
Graphic elements used on a hazard label, used to identify the specific hazard class and category.
All of these are required on a Safety Data Sheet
Hazard identification, accidental release measures, and composition/information on ingredients.
Acute exposure
High levels of exposure over a short period.
Regulated waste
Infectious waste that requires special handling, neutralization, and disposal.
Contaminated waste
Items such as gloves and patient napkins that may contain the potentially infectious body fluids of patients.
Which of the following is a form of toxicity that can be caused by chronic benzene exposure?
Leukemia
According to OSHA, how often do eyewash stations need to be inspected to ensure proper function?
Monthly
For continuing employees, Hazard Communication Program training is required
Once a year
Oxidizers
Substances that react or cause a chemical to react with oxygen.
Product identifier
The name or number used for a hazardous chemical on a label or in the Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
Hazard class
The nature of the physical or health hazards (e.g., flammable solid, carcinogen, oral acute toxicity).
Label elements
The pictogram, hazard statement, signal word, and precautionary statement for each hazard class and category.
Hazard classification
To identify the properties of a chemical to determine the degree of hazard.
Signal word
Two words used on the SDS: "Warning" for less severe hazard categories, and "Danger" for more severe hazard categories.
What is the purpose of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)?
Uniformity in classifying and labeling of a chemical regardless of where it is manufactured or used
A victim who immediately feels the effects of a chemical spill, with symptoms of dizziness, headache, nausea, and vomiting, is experiencing
acute chemical toxicity.
Toxic waste
Waste that can have a toxic effect to humans.
Infectious waste
Waste that is capable of transmitting an infectious disease.
Hazardous waste
Waste that poses a risk to humans or to the environment.
Scrap dental amalgam should be collected and stored in
a designated, dry, airtight container.
A chemical that can cause a physical or health hazard is
a hazardous chemical.
When a chemical is transferred to a different container, the new container must be labeled with
any label, providing the labeling system is easy to use and all employees are properly trained to understand and read the label.
All of the following chemicals are considered toxic
arsenic, mercury, lead, barium, chromium, and certain pesticides.
All waste containers that hold potentially infectious materials must
be labeled with the biohazard symbol.
These are considered a regulated waste
blood-soaked gauze, human tissue, and scalpel blade
Used radiographic fixer
can be managed on site with the installation of a silver recovery system.
Extracted teeth are
considered potentially infectious, a regulated waste, and can be heat sterilized for educational purposes.
The written program portion of the Hazard Communication Program
describes how to respond to chemical emergencies.
Products that have outlived their expiration date should be
disposed of immediately.
If a small mercury spill occurs in the dental office, the assistant should
get the mercury spill kit, a mask, and utility gloves.
The symptom(s) of acute toxicity is (are)
headache, dizziness, and unconsciousness.
An example of regulated waste that requires special disposal is
human tissue.
The Hazard Communication Standard requires employers to inform their employees about the ____________ of chemicals that they use in the workplace.
identity and hazards
Wastes are classified as hazardous if they are
ignitable.
Failure to wash hands that are contaminated with chemicals before eating a sandwich is an example of
ingestion
Regulated waste
is waste that is infectious and requires special handling, neutralization, and disposal
In addition to chemical exposure directly damaging the lungs, the organs that can also be affected are
kidneys, brain, and liver.
All of the following areas in a dental environment require good ventilation
laboratory, sterilization area, and darkroom.
OSHA requires a sharps container to be all of the following
leak-proof, puncture-resistant, and closable.
Chronic chemical toxicity results from generally ______ levels of the chemical over a much _______ time period than acute chemical toxicity.
lower; longer
Eyewash units
must be installed in every workplace where chemicals are used, according to OSHA regulations.
In the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) labeling system the color yellow indicates
reactivity
Lead foil from the radiographic film should be
recycled through Eastman Kodak or recycled as scrap metal
Radiographic fixer is considered a hazardous waste because it has a high
silver content.
Dermatitis can occur following chemical exposure by
skin contact.
The SDS should be organized in binders
so that employees can locate a particular SDS.
The government agency responsible for enforcing rules regarding the disposal of regulated waste is
the EPA.
Latex gloves worn during patient care do not provide adequate protection when handling chemicals because
the latex in the gloves degrades when exposed to chemical disinfectants.
The written program of the Hazard Communication Program must include all of the following information
the names of all employees who are exposed to hazardous chemicals, the identity of the individual responsible for the program, and a description of staff training.
Topics in a chemical training program for employees must include
the use of hazardous chemicals, required PPE, and the safe handling and disposal methods of chemicals.
When using chemicals, dental assistants must wear
utility gloves, mask, and eye protection.