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

Abstract

Background: Characterizing 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. Methods: A 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 including identification, evaluation and classification of potential risks and hazards. The approach provided an innovative tool evaluating and prioritizing risks in chemical laboratories. Hazards were classified in a five level scale. The technique reviewed both quantitative and qualitative data and evidences using Laboratory Safety Guidance (OSHA), Occupational Hazard Datasheet (ILO) and the standards of ACGIH, IARC and NFPA codes. Results: Overall, the frequency of risks at moderate to very high levels 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 environment. Nitric acid, Sulfuric acid, Formaldehyde, and Sodium hydroxide were assessed as a potential health hazards. Moreover, Ethanol and Sulfuric acid were determined to cause safety hazards. Although security provisions and procedures were considered precisely at academic laboratory activities, but lack of awareness concerning health, safety, and environmental hazards of chemical compounds and inappropriate sewage disposal system were determined as the main factors in increasing risk levels.Conclusion: Chemicals used in laboratory activities generate workplace and environmental hazards that must be assessed and 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 risk perception of individuals involved in handling chemicals to prevent from workplace and environmental hazards.