Safety and Chemicals

Abstract

AbstractChemical engineers need to be aware of the increasing concern over the safe use of chemicals, a duty of care, and a positive effort to reduce exposure to chemicals by both the general public and persons working in the occupational environment. Benzene inhalation from gasoline during automobile tank filling should be minimized in order to reduce the risk of leukaemia. Dermal absorption of pesticides and solvents can have adverse health effects. Captan, an old pesticide about to re‐appear, is examined as a potential human carcinogen. Persistent old organochlorines in meat can enter the human food chain. Organophosphate pesticides, 50 times more toxic than HCN, are detected in Australian beef and sheep samples. The best estimate of occupational mortality due to past chemical exposure is 2,300 people per year. Chemical engineers need the management vision to include safety and chemicals in the design and operation of plant, and in the pathways leading to inhalation, ingestion and absorption in humans.