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