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Read the label
Read the label The Last Word
O
ver twenty years ago while serving as Chair of the Committee on Chemical Safety a subcommittee of CCS developed and distributed a pamphlet entitled ‘‘Read the Label’’. The subcommittee was chaired by Ruth Hathaway and included in its membership David Bush, Warren Kingsley, Patricia Redden, Eileen Segal and myself. This 12 page pamphlet was illustrated by an ACS colleague of mine, Gwen Lubey. Hundreds of copies of this publication were distributed to local sections for their use in community activities. Recent newspaper articles and television reports regarding house hold accidents with chemicals prompted me to dig this leaflet out from my files. Death and serious injuries to children from eating the new laundry detergent pods have been reported. These multicolored plastic coated pods look just like candy and an unsuspecting child can bite into one and get a dose of a hazardous mixture. Following the initial reports of injuries resulting from ingestion of these detergent pods the CDC (Center for Disease Control) and CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) were contacted by The Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy arm of the Consumers Reports and asked to investigate. The manufacturers responded to the concerns by increasing the size and location of the warning label and fitting the pod containers with double latches. Regardless, the warning is only as good as the author who prepared it but has little use if the consumer doesn’t read it. Just like the detergent pods, every day we work with and use chemicals in our homes. These can be in the form of laundry products, cleaners furniture polishes, personal products like hair sprays, toothpastes and shampoos. Federal, state and local laws require the chemist be informed of the hazards of the chemicals they are working with. The only protection the consumer has against the hazardous chemicals they might encounter is their own knowledge. This knowledge comes from reading and thoroughly understanding the manufacturers label. Even the most complete and perfectly written label is useless unless the consumer reads it. Although most readers of this journal are safety professionals or chemists many leave there label reading to the lab and when home label reading may be ignored. The leaflet states that most household products, but not all, are
1871-5532 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jchas.2015.10.011
formulated for maximum safety even under extreme misuse. An informed and concerned public will force the adoption of increasingly safe and environmentally sound products. Case in point was the immediate response of the detergent pod manufacturers to the reports of the injuries to children. Responsible manufacturers of household chemicals have gone to great lengths to assure that the information on their product labels is correct and complete for the safe and effective use of their product. The consumer purchases not only the product but the responsibility to read the label and follow the directions. Some words of wisdom for both the consumers and chemists to follow whether at work or at home. 1. Read the label on any chemical or product you bring into your home. 2. Think and follow exactly the manufacturer’s directions. Never use more than what is recommended. 3. Learn all you can about the product you are using. Manufacturers label their products with correct and useful information for the safe use of their products. Cautionary words are generally a part of the label. The Read the Label booklet lists these words. Poison: It is defined as a substance through its chemical action kills, injures or impairs an organism. Misuse of the product can cause damage to the skin, lungs, liver or other body organs or even death. In many case the label is not large enough to provide all the details on how to use the product safely. In that case the user should seek additional information such as the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or a internet search. Danger: Represents the most significant risk to the user. It is defined as harm, damage or possible exposure to severe injury or pain. Warning: Means to let one know of potential danger or risk of injury with misuse. Caution: In simple terms it says to the user be on your guard and plan before you use the product to prevent injury through misuse. Often some household chemicals may have more than one hazard; such as corrosive and poison or flammable and poison. When storing a household chemical make sure that the container is tightly closed and are stored as directed. Never store chemicals in food containers such as water or soda bottles. Always store these chemicals where they are not accessible to children or pets. A locked cabinet is best. Spills of household chemicals should be cleaned up as soon as they occur, following manufacturer instructions. Never
ß Division of Chemical Health and Safety of the American Chemical Society Published by Elsevier Inc.
45
dispose of hazardous chemicals in the household trash, someone down the line could be severely injured when
46
handling your garbage. Finally, you should use the same personal protective equipment at home as you use at
work or in the lab, gloves, eye protection, proper clothes and shoes or even respirators. READ THE LABEL.
Journal of Chemical Health & Safety, November/December 2015
O
ver twenty years ago while serving as Chair of the Committee on Chemical Safety a subcommittee of CCS developed and distributed a pamphlet entitled ‘‘Read the Label’’. The subcommittee was chaired by Ruth Hathaway and included in its membership David Bush, Warren Kingsley, Patricia Redden, Eileen Segal and myself. This 12 page pamphlet was illustrated by an ACS colleague of mine, Gwen Lubey. Hundreds of copies of this publication were distributed to local sections for their use in community activities. Recent newspaper articles and television reports regarding house hold accidents with chemicals prompted me to dig this leaflet out from my files. Death and serious injuries to children from eating the new laundry detergent pods have been reported. These multicolored plastic coated pods look just like candy and an unsuspecting child can bite into one and get a dose of a hazardous mixture. Following the initial reports of injuries resulting from ingestion of these detergent pods the CDC (Center for Disease Control) and CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) were contacted by The Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy arm of the Consumers Reports and asked to investigate. The manufacturers responded to the concerns by increasing the size and location of the warning label and fitting the pod containers with double latches. Regardless, the warning is only as good as the author who prepared it but has little use if the consumer doesn’t read it. Just like the detergent pods, every day we work with and use chemicals in our homes. These can be in the form of laundry products, cleaners furniture polishes, personal products like hair sprays, toothpastes and shampoos. Federal, state and local laws require the chemist be informed of the hazards of the chemicals they are working with. The only protection the consumer has against the hazardous chemicals they might encounter is their own knowledge. This knowledge comes from reading and thoroughly understanding the manufacturers label. Even the most complete and perfectly written label is useless unless the consumer reads it. Although most readers of this journal are safety professionals or chemists many leave there label reading to the lab and when home label reading may be ignored. The leaflet states that most household products, but not all, are
1871-5532 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jchas.2015.10.011
formulated for maximum safety even under extreme misuse. An informed and concerned public will force the adoption of increasingly safe and environmentally sound products. Case in point was the immediate response of the detergent pod manufacturers to the reports of the injuries to children. Responsible manufacturers of household chemicals have gone to great lengths to assure that the information on their product labels is correct and complete for the safe and effective use of their product. The consumer purchases not only the product but the responsibility to read the label and follow the directions. Some words of wisdom for both the consumers and chemists to follow whether at work or at home. 1. Read the label on any chemical or product you bring into your home. 2. Think and follow exactly the manufacturer’s directions. Never use more than what is recommended. 3. Learn all you can about the product you are using. Manufacturers label their products with correct and useful information for the safe use of their products. Cautionary words are generally a part of the label. The Read the Label booklet lists these words. Poison: It is defined as a substance through its chemical action kills, injures or impairs an organism. Misuse of the product can cause damage to the skin, lungs, liver or other body organs or even death. In many case the label is not large enough to provide all the details on how to use the product safely. In that case the user should seek additional information such as the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or a internet search. Danger: Represents the most significant risk to the user. It is defined as harm, damage or possible exposure to severe injury or pain. Warning: Means to let one know of potential danger or risk of injury with misuse. Caution: In simple terms it says to the user be on your guard and plan before you use the product to prevent injury through misuse. Often some household chemicals may have more than one hazard; such as corrosive and poison or flammable and poison. When storing a household chemical make sure that the container is tightly closed and are stored as directed. Never store chemicals in food containers such as water or soda bottles. Always store these chemicals where they are not accessible to children or pets. A locked cabinet is best. Spills of household chemicals should be cleaned up as soon as they occur, following manufacturer instructions. Never
ß Division of Chemical Health and Safety of the American Chemical Society Published by Elsevier Inc.
45
dispose of hazardous chemicals in the household trash, someone down the line could be severely injured when
46
handling your garbage. Finally, you should use the same personal protective equipment at home as you use at
work or in the lab, gloves, eye protection, proper clothes and shoes or even respirators. READ THE LABEL.
Journal of Chemical Health & Safety, November/December 2015