Rank: Forum user
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I am reviewing our H&S Policy and COSHH documents and I understand chemicals with Risk Phrases R40,45,46,49,61,63 & 64 should be avoided however I am looking to identify chemical elements or compounds that are known to cause pregnancy issues and thus should have some or all of these Risk Phrases.
Does anyone know of such a list or point me in the direction of a website?
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Rank: Super forum user
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EH40 includes a column for risk phrases, but this won't be comprehensive.
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Rank: Super forum user
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As Kate says, there are many chemicals where there is evidence of possible effects on pregnant persons, but which will not have been allocated a risk phrase. As a result almost certainly they will not be on your safety data sheets. So relying purely on risk phrases may result in you missing potentially significant exposures.
I realise that this doesn't answer your question, but perhaps it explains the true nature of the problem!
Chris
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Rank: Super forum user
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While Chris is surely correct, what I meant was that as EH40 only lists substances that have exposure limits, there could be any number of substances that have these risk phrases but aren't in EH40 as they haven't been assigned an exposure limit.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Unlikely such a list would exist. I note some Risk Phrases weren't on your list: R47. 60, 62, 68. R33 also potentially applicable in that context.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Rank: Super forum user
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I thought that the definitive list for risk phrases was the Approved Supply List and these are then the basis for inclusion on the safety data sheet for CHIP. Bear in mind also that EH40 includes only those substances that have exposure limits for inhalation exposure. It does not include those substances that have risk phrases for which there is no WEL.
If you are really concerned about chemicals in contact with the person and their effects you need to look further than risk phrases or safety data sheets.
Chris
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Rank: Super forum user
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Why not reduce your work and just create a list first of all possible chemicals to which the employee may be exposed.
This can be whittled down to those with or without known consequences to the unborn child etc., highlight chemicals with known effects and those you dont have data for and prevent exposure.
Follow up with further investigation to find more data on the unknowns to reduce limitations on work if practical
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Rank: Super forum user
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quote=Chris.Packham]If you are really concerned about chemicals in contact with the person and their effects you need to look further than risk phrases or safety data sheets.
Chris
100% agree!
Chemical A = Safe
Chemical B = Safe
A + B = certain death :(
And for the chemists
Isomer R of Chemical A = Safe
Rare Isomer S of Chemical A = sever mutagenic effects to unborn child.
It really is a mine field but would agree with what other have said and note that descarte8 gives a good starting point.
hmmm Friday...
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Rank: Super forum user
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Be extremely cautious here.
WELs only relate to a human adult and are derived from animal testing etc - they do not telate to the unborn child. Also be aware of the possibility of synergistic effects.
Do not be swayed or get a false sense of security by WELs or R phrases.
From my 25 years experience of the chemical industry I would reccomend the ALARP principle for pregnant women.
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