Implementation of Chemical Health, Safety, and Environmental Risk Assessment in Laboratories: A Case-Series Study

Abstract

IntroductionCharacterizing risks associated with laboratory activities in universities may improve health, safety, and environmental management and reduce work-related diseases and accidents. This study aimed to develop and implement a chemical risk assessment method to determine and prioritize more hazardous chemicals in the academic laboratories.MethodsA case-series study was conducted at five academic laboratories and research facilities of an Iranian medical sciences university in 2021. A risk assessment was developed and implemented in three phases to identify, evaluate, and classify potential risks and hazards. The approach provided an innovative tool for evaluating and prioritizing risks in chemical laboratories. Hazards were classified on a five-level scale. The technique reviewed both quantitative and qualitative data and pieces of evidence using Laboratory Safety Guidance (OSHA), Occupational Hazard Datasheet (ILO), the standards of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) codes.ResultsOverall, the frequency of risks rated from “moderate” to “very high” levels was determined for the health hazards (9.3%), environmental hazards (35.2%), and safety hazards (20.4%). Hydrochloric acid had a high consumption rate in laboratory operations and received the highest risk levels in terms of potential hazards to employees' health and the environment. Nitric acid, Sulfuric acid, Formaldehyde, and Sodium hydroxide were assessed as potential health hazards. Moreover, Ethanol and Sulfuric acid were recognized as safety hazards. We observed adequate security provisions and procedures in academic laboratory operations. However, the lack of awareness concerning health, safety, environmental chemical hazards, and inappropriate sewage disposal systems contributed to the increasing levels of laboratory risk.ConclusionsChemicals used in laboratory activities generate workplace and environmental hazards that must be assessed, managed, and risk mitigated. Developing a method of rating health, safety, and environmental risks related to laboratory chemicals may assist in defining and understanding potential hazards. Our assessment suggested the need for improving the risk perception of individuals involved in handling chemicals to prevent exposure from workplace duties and environmental pollution hazards.

Community Sanitation Risk Assessment of Tanjung Raja Village: A Rural Slum Study

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Mitigation of Potential Risks in Chemical Laboratories: A Focused Review

“…133,134 To minimize the impact of these incidents and guarantee a prompt and organized reaction, it is crucial to develop a thorough emergency preparedness and response plan. 135,136 The key elements of emergency preparedness and response along with their associated goals are outlined in Table 4.…”

“…Chemical laboratories are susceptible to various potential emergencies, such as chemical spills, fires, explosions, and accidents involving hazardous substances. , To minimize the impact of these incidents and guarantee a prompt and organized reaction, it is crucial to develop a thorough emergency preparedness and response plan. , …”

Investigative Analysis of Safety Risk Assessment at a Science and Technology University: Analysis of 2019 Risk Assessment and 2021 Actual Accidents

“…Using a multiphase approach, they conducted a case-series study at an Iranian medical sciences university to evaluate hazards and then categorized them. As a result, risk determinations were made based on health hazards, environmental hazards, and safety hazards, with hydrochloric acid having the highest consumption in laboratory operations and receiving the highest risk level regarding potential hazards to employee health and the environment, and ethanol and sulfuric acid identified as safety hazards. , In China, a three year safety inspection by China’s Ministry of Education revealed many issues in university chemistry laboratories, including inappropriate hazard identification, lack of risk awareness, and inadequate safety controls. This effort led to the establishment of the inherent hazards assessment and classification (IHAC) method for university chemical laboratories …”