Chapter 23: Chemical and Waste Management
Precautionary statement
Phrase that describes recommended measures to take to minimize or prevent adverse effects from exposure to a hazardous chemical or improper storage for handling of a hazardous chemical
Hazardous waste
Waste that poses a risk to humans or to the environment if discarded into landfill or poured down drain.
Toxic waste
Waste that can have a toxic effect to humans.
Infectious waste
Waste that includes biologic materials capable of transmitting an infectious disease waste.
Contaminated waste
Waste that is contaminated from a potentially infectious bodily fluid of a patient.
Signal word
"Warning": Less severe hazard categories "Danger": More severe hazard categories.
Explain the difference between chronic and acute chemical exposure, including the potential long-term and short-term effects of exposure.
Acute exposure: An exposure to a high concentration of a chemical may cause dizziness, headache, etc. Whereas for chronic exposure: long-term daily exposure to low levels of a chemical may eventually cause a disease.
Chemical
Any substance or mixture of substances having a chemical composition.
Physical hazard
Chemical that can be a combustible liquid, a compressed gas, an explosive material, flammable-reactive, or water-reactive and is a health hazard.
Toxic chemicals
Chemicals that can have a fatal or toxic effect to humans.
Chronic exposure
Continuous or repeated contact with a substance over a long period.
Why should the dental assistant be well informed about exposure to chemicals in the workplace?
Dental assistant is exposed to a wide variety of chemicals.
Health hazard
Evidence of a chemical that acute or chronic health effects may occur when an employee is exposed.
Describe the methods to minimize exposure to chemical hazards in the dental office.
Follow instructions, avoid exposure to light, check expiration date, rotate inventory.
Pictograms
Graphic elements used on a hazard label to identify the specific hazard class and category.
Identify the personal protection methods against chemical exposure.
Hand protection: Utility gloves Eye protection: Safety glasses Protective clothing: Scrubs Inhalation protection: Face masks
Acute exposure
High levels of exposure over a short period of time.
Describe in general how chemicals should be stored.
In a dry, cool, and dark place.
Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)
Organization that defines and classifies the hazards of chemical products and communicates health and safety information on labels.
Explain how chemicals enter the human body?
Inhalation, skin contact, and ingestion.
Regulated waste
Items that have been deemed to pose a risk to humans or the environment .
Chemical inventory
List of all substances used in the office that contain chemicals.
Product identifier
Name or number used for a hazardous chemical on a label or in the SDS.
Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)
Standard set in place by OSHA to ensure that the hazards of all chemicals are evaluated and details provided to employers/employees regarding "right to know" about hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
Hazard statement
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.
Label elements
The pictogram, hazard statement, signal word, and precautionary statement for each hazard class and category.
Oxidizers
Type of chemical that will react or cause a chemical to react with oxygen and are a severe fire hazard.
