A Chemical Risk Ranking and Scoring Method for the Selection of Harmful Substances to be Specially Controlled in Occupational Environments
نویسندگان
چکیده
This study aimed to devise a method for prioritizing hazardous chemicals for further regulatory action. To accomplish this objective, we chose appropriate indicators and algorithms. Nine indicators from the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals were used to identify categories to which the authors assigned numerical scores. Exposure indicators included handling volume, distribution, and exposure level. To test the method devised by this study, sixty-two harmful substances controlled by the Occupational Safety and Health Act in Korea, including acrylamide, acrylonitrile, and styrene were ranked using this proposed method. The correlation coefficients between total score and each indicator ranged from 0.160 to 0.641, and those between total score and hazard indicators ranged from 0.603 to 0.641. The latter were higher than the correlation coefficients between total score and exposure indicators, which ranged from 0.160 to 0.421. Correlations between individual indicators were low (-0.240 to 0.376), except for those between handling volume and distribution (0.613), suggesting that each indicator was not strongly correlated. The low correlations between each indicator mean that the indicators and independent and were well chosen for prioritizing harmful chemicals. This method proposed by this study can improve the cost efficiency of chemical management as utilized in occupational regulatory systems.
منابع مشابه
Health risk assessment of occupational exposure to harmful chemical agents in a pesticide manufacturing plant
Background: In most industries, employees are in contact with various chemical agents. The objective of this study was to assess the health risks posed by occupational exposure to harmful chemical agents in a pesticide manufacturing plant in Zahedan, Iran, in 2013. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in different units of a pesticide manufacturing plant. In order to...
متن کاملAssessment of health risks of exposure to hazardous chemicals by semi-quantitative method in a gas refinery complex
Background: Gas refining is a process in which workers are exposed to different chemicals. This study aimed to assess the health risks caused by exposure to these substances in order to determine hazardous jobs and to present controlling methods. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on the workers at gas refinery in 2015. The sample included all the staff in operat...
متن کاملارزیابی ریسک مواجهه شغلی با مواد شیمیایی به منظور ارائه راهکارهای کنترلی (مطالعه موردی در یک صنعت فوم پلی اورتان)
Background: In the foam industries, workers are exposed to various chemicals and working with these chemicals without considering occupational safety and health considerations could lead to different harmful symptoms. Consequently, in order to control measures and reducing risk to acceptable level, it is necessary to assess the health risk of exposure to harmful chemicals by implementation of s...
متن کاملSemi-quantitative risk assessment of health exposure to hazardous chemical agents in a petrochemical plant
Background: Chemical contaminants present in the work environments include gases, vapors, and solid and liquid suspended particles. The number of factories producing chemicals has increased significantly. Each year, new products are introduced into the market. Consequently, the number of employees at risk of exposure to these materials is increased. Hazardous chemicals are used in the petrochem...
متن کاملارزیابی ریسک بهداشتی مواجهه شغلی با عوامل زیان آور شیمیایی : مطالعه موردی در یک صنعت پتروشیمی
Background and aims In the most chemical process industries, workers are exposed to various chemicals and working with these chemicals without considering safety and health considerations can lead to different harmful symptoms. For deciding about control measures and reducing risk to acceptable level , it is necessary to assess the health risk of exposing to harmful chemicals by aid of specif...
متن کامل