Material Safety Data Sheet

Super Sani-Cloth Germicidal Wipes are common used in hospital settings as a disinfectant for bloodborne pathogens and viruses. It is used to clean surfaces and equipment in healthcare. According to the MSDS, there are three main chemical ingredients in these wipes: isopropanol, Benzyl-C12-18-alkyldimethyl ammonium chlorides, and Quaternary ammonium compounds (C12-18-alkyl [(ethylphenyl) methyl] dimethyl, chlorides).  

What are the health risks associated with this chemical?

-Acute health risks include moderate skin and eye irritations. Prolonged or repeated exposure can cause drying, defatting and dermatitis. Symptoms may include redness, edema, drying, defatting and cracking of the skin.

Is the chemical a carcinogen?

-After looking up these chemicals using the ToxNet database, I came across an article that talked about the carcinogenic risk of benzyl chloride. There are not very many reports or studies available to assess levels of exposure; however, sarcomas were found in test studies of mice by skin application. Also, six cases of respiratory cancer have been reported among benzoyl chloride manufacturing workers in two small plants, who were also potentially exposed to benzyl chloride. The cases occurred in relatively young workers, three of whom were nonsmokers.

What personal protective equipment or special precautions should be taken when working with this chemical?

-Gloves and masks are the main PPE’s used when handing these products.

If this is a chemical found in your workplace, what training/education were you given about any risks associated with this chemical?

-In the workplace, training/education would be geared towards the proper handling of these products. I would talk about the different routes of exposure that should be avoided and first aid procedures if such contact does arise. It is also important to go over the chemicals found in this product and the potential health risks associated with them.

In my opinion, the MSDS is an adequate tool for workers to gain an understanding about health risks. Everyone has a right to know what they may potentially become exposed to, especially in the workplace. Not a lot of people know that these material safety data sheets even exist, so it is important that we make known to the public the availability of these informational documents.

OSHA -  Health and Safety Programs

OSHA provides a sample exposure control plan for tuberculosis (TB) on their website. This helpful eTool goes over exposure incident reporting, identification of suspected or confirmed individuals with TB, transferring of affected individuals, isolation methods, medical services, etc. This is a great tool to use in healthcare settings where potential exposures may take place. Employers can use these sample programs as guidance when developing their own customized programs that are tailored to their specific workplaces.

Occupational Diseases

Lead is an ingredient in thousands of products widely used throughout the industry. OSHA has regulations governing construction workers exposure to lead. Employers of construction workers engaged in the repair, renovation, removal, demolition, and salvage of flood-damaged structures and materials are responsible for the development and implementation of a worker protection program in accordance with Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations. This program is essential to minimize worker risk of lead exposure.

Major Elements of OSHA’s Lead Standard:
-A permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 micrograms of lead per cubic meter of air, as averaged over an 8-hour period.
-Requirements that employers use engineering controls and work practices, where feasible, to reduce worker exposure.
-Requirements that employees observe good personal hygiene practices, such as washing hands before eating and taking a shower before leaving the worksite.
-Requirements that employees be provided with protective clothing and, where necessary, with respiratory protection
-A requirement that employees exposed to high levels of lead be enrolled in a medical surveillance program.

Peak Food Conditions

Things we can do:
-Eat less meat and dairy
-Eat more seasonal, low-processed, local, organic foods
-Reduce the number of trips we take to the store
-Use less packaging and bring our own bags
-Waste less food

Ideal Chemical Policy

After going through the Louisville Charter, my group and I had come up with similar elements of a good chemical policy. One element that we thought was most important was the full right-to-know. Every person has the right to know the chemicals to which they may be exposed in their daily living. Toxic chemicals can be found in our homes, in our environment, and even in our workplace. Being aware allows us to reduce our exposures and prevent adverse health outcomes.

Another great element is the requirement of safer substitutes and solutions. The only way to change the exposure to toxic chemicals is to provide solutions or alternatives to help with the initial problem. According to the Louisville Charter, The Principle of Substitution states that hazardous chemicals should be systematically substituted by less hazardous alternatives or preferably alternatives for which no hazards can be identified. I like the example they mentioned about pesticide use. Rather than using pesticide, a safer alternative could be achieved through a more systematic change in farming techniques.

When communities or workers become exposed to toxic chemicals that are known to pose a health hazard, it is important to act immediately to prevent these exposures from compromising their health. Respiratory, developmental, and even neurological disorders are just some of the many ways chemical exposures affect our bodies. In certain workplaces, employees who work in close contact with these chemicals place themselves at higher risk. Toxic chemicals are carcinogenic and can leave a worker suffering with chronic diseases.

Several years ago, factory workers in Solano County got exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide. This became a medical emergency where all the local hospitals and emergency departments were contacted, one of which was the hospitals I happened to have clinical in. As a nursing student at the time, I assisted the nurses, doctors, and staff with the triage. It was a crazy scene. There were so many workers affected that they were not only being transported by ambulance but also by buses. A majority of the patients I saw suffered from respiratory problems such as asthma; however, there were a few workers who had more serious health issues and had to be admitted into the hospital. In scenarios like this, it is important to act fast, as it can be a matter of life or death.

Sewage Treatment Facility

The closest sewage treatment facility near me is Delta Diablo. Delta Diablo provides water resource recovery services for the City of Antioch, the City of Pittsburg, and the unincorporated community of Bay Point, serving a population of nearly 200,000. They perform what is called the secondary treatment process to clean the wastewater. The Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act are important laws that help keep our water free of chemicals and pollution. Both have set standards to help keep our water safe.

Water Quality

After some research, I discovered that the primary source of my water is the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Originating from the rivers within the Sierra, the water flows into the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, eventually finding its way into the Delta. The water is then transported in the Contra Costa Canal. 

The water that comes from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is treated at 6 different water treatment plants. I learned that these plants use a process called conventional treatment to clean and disinfect the water. First, the larger materials, such as dirt, pebbles and debris are screened out. Then the water is mixed with treatment chemicals that cause the smaller particles to clump together and settle to the bottom. The water is then disinfected with ozone, chlorine or chloramines to kill any bacteria. Finally, it goes through sand and carbon filter beds to make it clean and clear. 

After viewing the recent water quality results, I was a little shocked to see some of the substances that were found. Arsenic, mercury, and radon were just a few of the contaminants listed. I like how the Contra Costa Water District provides these annual water quality reports. This allows the public to view the quality of water they are receiving and the level of contaminants that are found. 

In terms of drinking water, the only filtering product I have used is the Brita water filter pitcher which I have purchased from Costco awhile back. It is basically a pitcher with a built in filter that is changed after several months depending on use. According to Brita, 1 water filter can replace 300 standard water bottles, which I think is pretty impressive. I am, however, still guilty of using bottled water from time to time. I try my best to stick to reusable water containers.

Contra Costa County Health Department Website

The Contra Costa Health Services website has a tab that lists a number of health topics related to wellness/prevention, illnesses/diseases, healthcare, and public health issues. Under each topic, there are links that provide up to date information, reports, videos, and further resources for the public to view. Under the “Wellness & Prevention” section, I looked more into the topic of mold. Here, they provide information on what mold is, how it causes health problems, how it can be tested for, and how we can get rid of it.

There is also an environmental health link under the services tab, which lists some of the latest information in the county. One thing that caught my eye was the article on food inspection and safety. The article talks about a new app that can be downloaded on iPhone/Android devices, which provides free restaurant inspection in certain counties in the Bay Area. I actually spent a great deal of time reading through some of the articles that were listed on this website. All provided great information related to public health.

There are many different programs and services in the county, relating to communicable diseases, family/maternal/child health, HIV/AIDS/STDs, and so much more. One area I focused on was the linguistic access service. This service provides medical interpretation to all patients of Contra Costa Health Services 24/7, whether it is in a clinic or hospital setting. As healthcare providers, I think it is important to have such services available to the public because it helps to minimize barriers and properly address healthcare needs.

EPA/EnviroFACTS

I was born and raised in Alameda County, where I have spent at least 18 years of my life. I am curious now to see how the rankings are…

Who and what are the top polluters?
-Top polluters: New United Motor Inc., Arch Mirror West, Pacific Galvanizing Inc., and Acme Fiberglass Inc.
-Major Pollutants: Glycol ethers, xylene (mixed isomers), n-butyl alcohol, toluene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, methanol, ammonia…

What percent of the homes in your zipcode have lead-based paint?
-3% of houses in Alameda County have a high risk of lead hazards

SuperFund Sites:
-A superfund site is a polluted location requiring long-term response to cleaning up hazardous material contaminations.
-Sites:

• Alameda Naval Air Station: Polychlorinated biphenyls found on surface water
• AMCO Chemical: A number of hazardous contaminants found in the air
• Lawrence Livermore Lab Site 300 (USDOE): 1,2-Trans-Dichloroethylene, Beryllium compounds, Chloroform, Lead, Tetrachloroethylene, Trichloroethylene, Uranium found in ground water

Air Quality:
-In 2003, this county ranked among the dirtiest/worst 10% of all counties in the U.S. in terms of person-days in exceedance of national air quality standard for ozone (8-hour).
-According to the pollutant standards index, 86% of days contain good quality air.
-Mobile sources including both onroad vehicles (such as cars, trucks and buses) as well as offroad equipment (such as ships, airplanes, agricultural and construction equipment) contribute significantly to air pollution. Diesel emissions are the predominant source of cancer risk in Scorecard's assessment of hazardous air pollutants.

Water Quality:
-Many of the rivers, streams and creeks contain pesticides, mercury, metals, dioxin, PCBs, salinity/TDS/chlorides, and sediments. At least 80% of the waterbodies are contaminated with pesticides.
-Some of the leading sources of water quality problems come from urban runoff/storm sewers, resource extraction, agriculture, and municipal point sources.
-In comparison to other counties, Alameda ranks as one of the dirtiest/worst counties.

“Climate 911” By Wendy Ring

The video "Climate 911" by Wendy Ring was both interesting and informative. One thing that really caught my attention was the issue of water contamination. According to Ring, combined sewer overflow occurs when the same pipes that carry raw sewage also carry away our rainwater. When we have heavy rain, those systems become overwhelmed. The fail safe in the sewer dumps the overflow to the nearest river, lake or ocean.

I have recently conversed with a friend who is a civil engineer specializing in water/wastewater management. He told me about a project he was involved in, which addressed this exact issue Ring mentions. My friend helped design a storage system (specific to a storm event), which diverts excess wastewater that cannot be treated by the wastewater treatment plant until the storm event subsides and the wastewater treatment plant can resume again.

This is a picture of the storage system they designed. It can hold up to 5 million gallons of water!

Presentation by Toxicologist Jane Hoolihan

The presentation by Jane Hoolihan was certainly an eye opening one. The facts and statistics discussed were pretty disturbing. As a healthcare provider, I have spent a great deal of time learning about different illnesses and disease processes that affect the body. Knowing how many chemicals, toxins and compounds we are exposed to on a daily basis is horrifying.

People continue to use bottled water assuming it is safe and clean to drink, but is it really? There are still a number of contaminants found in bottled water. In one study, Hoolihan mentions that arsenic, radioactive isotopes and even Tylenol were found inside water bottles. Wait, what?! Is this even legal?

Aside from water, Hoolihan proceeds to talk about food and the thousands of additives and preservatives our packaged food contains. This certainly raises a bunch of questions...How do we know what is safe? How accessible are the safer alternatives? Are safer alternatives even affordable?

According to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson (2009), “A child born in America today will grow up exposed to more chemicals than a child from any other generation in our history.” Unfortunately, this is a sad yet realistic truth. There are so many newly discovered compounds that never even existed 50 years ago. What can we do to prevent this?

Household Products

Product #1: Dawn Dishwashing Liquid Soap

Main Concerns

• Skin contact: Prolonged contact with concentrated material may be drying or transiently irritating to skin

I have always had this brand of dishwashing soap at home for as long as I can remember. According to the Household Products Database, this product is not carcinogenic and no chronic health effects have been reported. The database gives this product a score of 1 on the HMIS Rating Scale (0=Minimal; 1=Slight; 2=Moderate; 3=Serious; 4=Severe) as a slight health hazard. There are obvious health concerns if this product were ingested; however, my main concerns are associated with skin contact.

Besides dishwashing soap, I have also used this product to wash my dog. I know that Dawn has a campaign known as "Dawn Saves Wildlife." They advertise their product by helping save animals that are affected by oil spills around the world. According to their website, ten percent Dawn concentrate in water is enough to cut through grease but gentle enough not to harm sensitive areas around animals' eyes.

This is a great multipurpose product to use, knowing that it is safe for both humans and animals.


Product #2: Lysol 4 in 1 All Purpose Antibacterial Cleaner

Main Concerns

• Chemicals (Lauramine oxide, Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, Alkyl (C12-C18) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, Alkyl (C-12-16) dimethylbenzylammonium chloride, etc.)

The database gives this product a score of 2 on the HMIS Rating Scale (0=Minimal; 1=Slight; 2=Moderate; 3=Serious; 4=Severe) as a moderate health hazard. Acute health effects include eye and skin irritation. There is no information provided on chronic health effects.

There are a number of chemicals known to be in this product; however, as a multipurpose antibacterial cleaner, I am not surprised about the ingredients listed. What price are we really paying when we use these household cleaners that are comprised of a number of chemicals?

Personal Care Products

Product #1: Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream

Main Concerns

• Benzyl Alcohol: Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity
• Petrolatum: Organ system toxicity
• Lactic acid: Cancer, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
• Phenoxyethanol: Allergies/immunotoxicity, irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), organ system toxicity
• Peg-30 Glyceryl Stearate: Organ system toxicity
• Dimethicone: Organ system toxicity
• Sodium Hydroxide: Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Organ system toxicity

Reaction
I have been using this product on a daily basis for many years now. I am just now reading about the ingredients of this moisturizing cream, and I have noticed that I cannot even pronounce some of them. What is Peg-30 Glyceryl Stearate? I have never even heard of this.

It seems like a majority of the ingredients cause organ system toxicity or some sort of irritation. Reading and learning about what these ingredients cause really discourages me from using this product, knowing that I am putting these ingredients on my face and body.



Product #2: Carmex

Main Concerns

• Oxybenzone: Biochemical/cellular level changes, developmental/reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruption, allergies /immunotoxicity, organ system toxicity
• Propylparaben: Developmental/reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruption, allergies/immunotoxicity
• Phenol: Developmental/reproductive toxicity, irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), organ system toxicity
• Octinoxate: Biochemical or cellular level changes, developmental/reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruption, allergies/immunotoxicity, organ system toxicity
• Diazolidinyl Urea: Cancer, contamination concerns (formaldehyde), allergies/immunotoxicity

Reaction
I have been using this lip balm ever since I was a little kid! I always have it with me everywhere I go, and I probably apply it multiple times a day. It is alarming to see the overall health concerns associated with this product.

I know that parabens are commonly used as preservatives in food and cosmetics. Research suggests that parabens may alter hormone level and increase the risk for certain cancers. In turn, hormone changes may impair fertility.

Why is this even on the shelves at drug stores? Knowing that this could cause developmental/reproductive toxicity, organ system toxicity, and even cancer is shocking! I have so many laying around in my house...I feel like throwing them all away. I'm sure there are much safer alternatives for lip balms.