Chemical safety information for developing countries

Abstract

chemicals are used all around the world. Approximately 70 000 chemical compounds are produced industrially and in every day use. The International Labour Office has recently published a compilation of exposure limit values for chemicals considered hazardous by 15 countries, which lists 2 129 chemical substances. The trade of chemicals does not recognize boundaries, and most of these compounds and substances are extensively used also in developing countries, where the capability is limited and the level of knowledge about hazards and proper use is not always adequate. Studies in Asia and Africa show that the most prevalent chemical hazards in priority order are: 1. skin exposure to chemicals; 2. labelling of chemicals; 3. chemical splashes; 4. chemical gases (other than solvents), smokes and fumes; 5. organic solvents; 6. chemical explosions; 7. cotton, asbestos, silica and other dusts. These hazards are more serious in small and medium sized industries than in large ones. Many of them are interlinked and depending on other significant factors such as poor housekeeping, lack of knowledge about hazards, and poor personal protection. Several proven methods exist to provide essential information on chemical hazards and their prevention for developing countries. These include: 1. harmonised labelling systems; 2. provision of chemical safety data sheets in locally understandable format and language; 3. transfer of knowledge and information in large quantities by networking institutions of developing countries to each other, and equally by linking them into international networks of industrialised countries; 4. the use of new and efficient methods to collect, process and disseminate information on chemicals and hazards associated, such as microcomputer technology, laser readable compact discs (CD-ROMs), and local desk-top-publishing systems. Some developing countries have already considerable experience in the use of these methods.