Hazardous materials and substances

Hazardous materials and substances

What do we call a hazardous substance?

In the broadest sense, any substance can be dangerous, depending on how it is used, the environmental conditions, the quantity, and the duration of exposure.

As early as the 16th century, Paracelsus, the father of modern pharmacology, said:

„Dosis facit venenum” – Only the dose makes the poison.

This means that even water, which is associated with life, can kill in excess. Drinking 5 liters of water in one go can lead to death. Sodium chloride (table salt) – essential for life – in a dose of 150 g it can be fatal. 25 espresso drunk one after another – for most people – guaranteed death. That is why any substance that is potentially safe can become dangerous.

A hazardous substance is a substance or mixture that, in small doses, disrupts the normal functioning of the human and animal body or has harmful impact on the environment.

Hazardous substances also includeexhaust gases and biological hazards,which we have discussed in separate definitions. Finally, please also read the recommendations for working with hazardous substances.

Legal regulations

The rules governing hazardous materials and substances in the Netherlands are regulated by, among others:

  • Wet milieugevaarlijke stoffen (WMS) – Act on substances hazardous to the environment
  • Wet milieubeheer (WM) – Environmental Management Act
  • Technical regulations:
    • BRZO 2015 – risk of major industrial accidents
    • PGS 15 –storage of hazardous substances

All these acts are compliant with European Union regulations:

  • REACH – Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals
    (EC Regulation No. 1907/2006)
  • CLP – Classification, Labelling and Packaging
    (EC Regulation No. 1272/2008)

The EU also has a so-called Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), developed by the UN and implemented through REACH and CLP.

 

Responsibilities of the manufacturer or importer of hazardous substances:

  1. Placing an appropriate pictogram on the packaging GHS (e.g. flame, skull, exclamation mark).
  2. Product description on the packaging – including personal protective equipment, method of use, and hazards.
  3. H phrases (Hazard statements) – hazard statements on the packaging and in the product safety data sheet
  4. P phrases (Precautionary statements) – recommended precautions on the packaging and in the product safety data sheet.
  5. Delivery of product safety data sheet – tzw. SDS (Safety Data Sheet), formerly known asMSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) – for each substance or mixture classified as hazardous.

 

Definitions

Familiarize yourself with the definitions in this chapter. Don’t forget the Recommendations for working with hazardous substances.