Experimental Application of Semi-Quantitative Methods for the Assessment of Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Research Laboratories

Figures & data

Table 4 Information About the 4 Semi-Quantitative Tools and Input Characteristics

	Conceptual Origin	Availability	Substances/Mixtures	Authorship	Main Input Parameters
					Health Parameters	Exposure Parameters
COSHH Essentials	CB	Free online	Both	HSE – UK Government	Health risk bands obtained by H Statements (or R Phrases). Band A, B, C, D,E^Citation12	Physical properties: Low, medium, high dustiness (solids); Low, medium, high volatility (boiling point of liquids (BP)); Quantity: small (g or mL); medium (kg or l); large (tonnes or m^3). Duration of exposure: Number of times the worker carries out the task; duration of the task in minutes.
MoVaRisCh	CB	Free online	Both	Italian local authorities (regioni Lombardia – Toscana – Emilia Romagna	Health risk scores obtained by H Statements (or R Phrases). Score from 1–10	Physical properties: Solid state/mists; low volatile liquids (BP); high or medium volatile liquids or fine dusts; gases. Quantity: <0.1 kg; 0.1–1 kg; 1–10 kg; 10–100 kg; >100 kg; Type of use: closed system; inclusion in matrix; controlled; used with dispersion. Type of control: complete containment; local exhaust ventilation; segregation; dilution – ventilation; direct manipulation. Daily exposure time: <15 minutes; 15 min – 2 hours; 2–4 hours; 4–6 hours; >6 hours. Distance from source: <1 meter; 3–5 meters; 5–10 meters; > 10 meters.
Datarisch	CB	Private	Both	Infomedia (Private enterprise)	Health risk scores obtained by H Statements (or R Phrases)	Quantity: <0,1 g; 0.1–5 g; 5–10 g; 10–100 g; >100 g. Time: <15 min; 15–30 min; 30 min – 2 hours; 4–8 hours. Frequency of use: < once per month; once – twice per month; once a week; 2–3 times per week; 4–5 times per week. Physical properties: liquid (BP); Solid; vapour; gas. Use temperature: <20°C; 20–60 °C; >60°C.
LaboRisCh	CB	Free online	Both	Università politecnica delle Marche (Italian) ASUR Marche (Italian)	Health risk scores obtained by H Statements (or R Phrases). Score from 1–20	Volatility: Solids; Low volatility liquids (BP >150°C); Medium and High volatility liquids (BP < 150°C) and fine dusts; Gases. Quantity: from 0 to 10g (or mL); from 10 to 100g (or mL); from 100g to 1kg (or l); >1kg (or l). Time of exposure: number of working days/month.

Table 1 Results of the Semi-Quantitative Assessment Using the Four Methods of the Risk Level for ‘Activity1ʹ. The level of shading correspond to the risk level. Irrelevant risk level: none; increasing risk level: increasing shading. 

Substance	Hazard Statements	Risk Level
		COSHH Essential	MoVaRisCh	Datarisch	LaboRisCh
2- mercaptoethanol	H301 H331 H310 H315 H318 H317 H373	2 Engineering control	R = 9.90 Irrelevant	R = 46,009 Medium relevance	R = 3.5 Irrelevant
Methanol	H301 H311 H331 H370	2 Engineering control	R = 30.04 Greater than Irrelevant	R = 47,849 Medium relevance	R = 7.25 Irrelevant
Acetic acid	H314	2 Engineering control	R = 19.76 Uncertainty Interval	R = 10,823 Not relevant	R = 6 Irrelevant
Ethanol	H319	1 General Ventilation	R = 9.49 Irrelevant	R = 679 Not relevant	R = 0 Irrelevant

Table 2 Results of the Semi-Quantitative Assessment Using the Four Methods of the Risk Level for “Activity2”. The level of shading correspond to the risk level: Irrelevant risk level: none; increasing risk level: increasing shading..

Substance	Hazard Statements	Risk Level
		COSHH Essentials	MoVaRisCh	Datarisch	LaboRisCh
Sodium Hypochlorite	H314	1 General Ventilation	R = 19.76 Uncertainty interval	R = 3827 Not relevant	R = 3 Irrelevant
Ethanol	H319	1 General Ventilation	R = 4.24 Irrelevant	R = 116 Not relevant	R = 0 Irrelevant

Table 3 Results of the Semi-Quantitative Assessment Using the Four Methods of the Risk Level for “Activity 3”. The level of shading correspond to the risk level: irrelevant risk level: none; increasing risk level: increasing shading

Substance	H-Statements	Risk Level
		COSHH Essentials	MoVaRisCh	Datarisch	LaboRisCh
Phenol	H301 H331 H311 H314 H341 H373	4 Special	R = 56.57 High	R =39,845 Medium relevance	R = 3.5 Irrelevant*
Hydrochloric acid	H314 H318 H335	2 Engineering control	R 44.19 High	R = 32,255 Medium relevance	R = 3 Irrelevant
Trichloromethane	H302 H315 H319 H331 H351 H361 H372	3 Containment	R = 56.57 High	R = 39,845 Medium relevance	R = 5 Irrelevant *
Acetic acid	H314	2 Engineering control	R = 44.19 High	R = 23,432 Medium relevance	R = 6 Irrelevant
Methanol	H301 H311 H331 H370	2 Engineering control	R = 95.47 Serious	R = 207,192 High relevance	R = 14.5 Irrelevant

Note: *Risk may be considered irrelevant only if the processing which involves the presence of cancerogens and/or mutagens is similar to a closed cycle one.

Department of health and human services, centers for disease control and prevention, National Institute for Occupational safety and health. Qualitative risk characterization and management of occupational hazards: control Banding (CB). A literature Review and critical analysis. DHHS. 2009;5:2.

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