Latest news with #hazardouschemicals
Malay Mail
a day ago
- General
- Malay Mail
We must prevent worker exposure to workplace hazardous chemicals — Wong Soo Kan
JUNE 2 — In Malaysia many industries handle and use chemicals in their everyday operations. The hazards of the chemicals used vary remarkably from less hazardous like our household chemicals to very hazardous chemicals that could cause irreversible long-term health effects. Some examples of these effects include acute symptoms like skin irritation, and eye irritation, while some cause chronic conditions like asthma, cancer, neurological disorders, and reproductive problems. The Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) enacted the Use and Standards of Exposure of Chemicals Hazardous to Health (USECHH) Regulation 2000 governing the use of chemicals in the workplace. The law requires employers to provide information about the identities and hazards of the chemicals used in their workplace. DOSH also has the regulation Classification, Labelling and Safety Data Sheet of Hazardous Chemicals) Regulations 2013 (CLASS 2013) which requires employers using hazardous chemicals to ensure they are properly labelled and their safety data sheets are accessible to workers. The workers must be trained to handle the chemicals correctly. The training for workers must also include information on the hazards of the chemicals and the measures to protect themselves Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to classify their chemicals appropriately, and prepare labels and safety data sheets complying with CLASS 2013 regulations. A file picture of workers from Kualiti Alam conducting checks on chemical drums in Kuala Selangor. — Bernama pic Exposure to chemicals is preventable. Without adequate controls on chemical exposure, workers could suffer long-term health effects. Many health effects from chemical exposures manifest years after exposure. The delay between the exposure and the appearance of health effects is called the latency period. The latency period can vary significantly depending on the chemical, the nature of the exposure, and individual susceptibility. Due to the long latency periods associated with chronic diseases of hazardous chemicals, USECHH 2000 regulation requires employers to send their workers for medical surveillance. The law also requires employers to maintain detailed records of workplace exposures for at least 30 years. This is because occupational cancers, like mesothelioma, can have latency periods between 10 to 40 years or even longer. Hazardous chemicals come in several physical forms like liquid, gas, solid and vapour. Exposure can occur through four routes, depending on the form of the substance: inhalation; skin or eye absorption, and ingestion. Employers have responsibilities to minimise workers' exposure by adopting the appropriate exposure controls. In summary, chemical exposure in the workplace can pose significant health risks, ranging from immediate symptoms to chronic conditions. Proper prevention measures, and training, are essential to protect workers from the adverse effects of chemicals. * This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail
Zawya
5 days ago
- Health
- Zawya
Oman national strategy to tackle hazardous chemicals unveiled
Muscat – A national strategy was launched on Wednesday to ensure safe and integrated management of hazardous chemicals, marking a significant step towards achieving sustainable development goals under Oman Vision 2040. The strategy was unveiled at an international workshop – Safe Management of Hazardous Chemicals – held in Muscat organised by Environment Authority (EA) in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme and Global Environment Facility. The two-day event was inaugurated by Sayyid Saud bin Hilal al Busaidi, Governor of Muscat. 'The national strategy aims to promote the sound management of chemicals at all stages by effectively utilising global practices, the results of studies and research, and supporting the efforts of the international community to control the circulation of chemicals,' said Mohammed bin Majid al Kasbi, Director of Chemicals and Waste Management Department at EA. He said the strategy is designed to balance economic growth, social welfare and environmental protection – the three pillars of sustainable development. The strategy outlines a framework for managing chemicals throughout their lifecycle, from production and handling to transport, storage, processing and disposal. It also addresses environmental and health risks associated with pollution and emissions to protect both people and ecosystems. Beyond regulation, the strategy focuses on building national capacity, enhancing emergency preparedness and strengthening international cooperation. It calls for a unified chemical management system backed by clear policies, legal instruments and enforcement mechanisms. The workshop has brought together experts from various sectors to explore chemical safety as a core component of environmental sustainability. A total of 18 working papers will be presented, covering areas such as mercury management, hazardous waste treatment technologies, the link between plastics and persistent organic pollutants, and the role of customs in monitoring chemical imports. Participants will also review emergency response protocols and the environmental impact of mercury use in agriculture. Dr Mohammed bin Saif al Kalbani, Director General of Environmental Affairs at EA, said the event aligns with ongoing efforts to foster collaboration among public and private sectors and international partners. 'This workshop complements the efforts of the authority in promoting and developing the sound management of hazardous chemicals through the exchange of expertise between relevant entities in the public and private sectors, as well as the international community, to preserve human health and the environment,' Kalbani said. He added that the sultanate has launched the Comprehensive Initial Assessment Report on Mercury and its Compounds in Oman after joining the Minamata Convention, a global agreement to reduce mercury pollution. The report tracks mercury across its lifecycle and helps the country meet international obligations. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Times of Oman
6 days ago
- Health
- Times of Oman
Environment Authority organises international workshop on safe management of hazardous chemicals
Muscat: The Environment Authority is organising a two-day international workshop on safe management of hazardous chemicals. The workshop, which takes place in Muscat, seeks to achieve sound management of chemicals as a basic pillar of sustainable development, in line with the strategic approach and objectives of Oman Vision 2040. The opening of the workshop was held under the auspices of Sayyid Saud Hilal Al Busaidi, Governor of Muscat. Held in cooperation with the UN Environment Programme and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the workshop constitutes a step forward towards the implementation of the provisions of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. It offers a practical guide on how to find suitable alternatives for mercury and to cut down the risks associated with the use of this substance, which is classified as hazardous to health and the environment. The workshop included the launch of the "National Strategy for Integrated Management of Hazardous Chemicals in the Sultanate of Oman". It highlights global practices and the outcome of studies and research in the field. The "National Strategy for Integrated Management of Hazardous Chemicals' constitutes a fundamental pillar of sustainable development. It plays a significant role in achieving the desired balance between the three dimensions of sustainable development: The economic dimension, social dimension and environmental dimension. The Strategy emerges as a national roadmap on managing chemicals in a safe and orderly manner, including production, manufacturing, handling, transportation, storage, processing and disposal hazardous materials. The workshop reviews 18 working papers on Oman's experience in the sound management of chemicals and mercury, the challenges involved in the management mercury, the systems and technologies used in the process of treatments and the relationship between plastics and persistent organic pollutants. The working papers also define the role of the Directorate General of Customs (which monitors chemicals at border crossings), standard procedures for transporting and storing hazardous materials and mercury, as well as the risks of using mercury in the field of farming. The workshop looks into a report on preliminary assessment of the propagation of mercury and outlines the national strategy on the management chemicals in the Sultanate of Oman.
The Independent
26-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Oil spill feared after cargo ship sinks off Kerala coast and containers wash ashore
India is scrambling to contain a potential environmental disaster after a container vessel sank off the coast of Kochi in Kerala, raising fears of an oil and hazardous chemical spill along the state's southern shoreline. The Liberia -flagged vessel MSC ELSA 3, carrying over 640 containers, sank about 38 nautical miles west of Kochi on Saturday. Among its cargo were 13 containers marked hazardous and 12 carrying calcium carbide, a highly reactive chemical. The ship also had more than 450 tonnes of fuel onboard, including 84 tonnes of diesel and 367 tonnes of furnace oil. The entire ship has since been submerged as the coast guard tried to block the oil with two ships, according to a statement from the Kerala chief minister's office. 'A Dornier aircraft is also being used to spray oil-destroying powder on the oil slick," the statement said. All 24 crew members were safely rescued by the Indian Coast Guard and Navy before the ship went under, but officials say the threat to the marine environment remains serious. Some containers have already washed ashore in coastal districts like Kollam and Alappuzha, prompting warnings from local authorities. Fishermen and residents have been advised not to approach or touch any container that has washed up or is floating near the coast. The Indian Coast Guard has launched a full-scale pollution response operation, deploying vessels equipped with containment booms, skimmers, and dispersants to try to control any oil that may have leaked from the sunken ship. An aircraft is also conducting aerial surveillance to assess the scale of the spill. The Kerala government has declared a state of environmental alert, asking people living nearby to move to safer places. Accidental oil spills in the ocean can have far-reaching effects, putting marine ecosystems to the local fishing industry at risk. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information and Services (INCOIS) has warned that if spillage does occur, at least two coastal districts in southern Kerala could face contamination within 36 to 48 hours. Authorities are still assessing whether any hazardous materials have leaked from the sunken containers, but the presence of calcium carbide – which reacts violently with water – has added to the urgency of the response.
Forbes
21-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
A US government delegation addressed key issues at the BRS conventions
BRS Conventions: From April 28-May 9, 2025, over 2,000 delegates from 182 countries gathered in ... More Switzerland to make decisions on hazardous chemicals and waste management that directly impact U.S. manufacturers, exporters, and global supply chains. For American companies to remain competitive abroad in an increasingly regulated market, the federal government needs to play an active role in international negotiations. That's why I was heartened to see key senior representatives from both the State Department and the Environmental Protection Agency at the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS) in Geneva earlier this month. Their presence signals an ongoing commitment to American companies' interests. Without that kind of active engagement, decisions affecting billions of dollars in U.S. commerce would be made without our own input. As the U.S. Council for International Business representative at BRS, I witnessed how diplomatic and technical government support directly helped promote the economic interests of American companies. The mission of the BRS Conventions, which gathered leaders from 182 countries, is to protect human health, safeguard the environment, and address climate change. They make decisions on hazardous chemicals and waste management, which directly impacts U.S. manufacturers, exporters, and global supply chains. These decisions also carry substantial implications for regulatory standards and industrial practices for major U.S. corporations across tech, chemical engineering, aerospace, and other sectors. One of the most critical outcomes of the BRS Conventions was the global ban of three new persistent organic pollutants (POPs): chlorpyrifos, long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-OFCAs), and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs). Why does this matter? These substances are widely found in plastics and other materials used in industrial applications, particularly in aerospace and chemical manufacturing — both vital sectors of the U.S. economy. The aerospace manufacturing industry alone was valued at about $424 billion in 2023, with over 534,442 people employed in aerospace products and parts manufacturing, according to Deloitte. Many of the American businesses at the conventions credited the U.S. government delegation for ... More securing a new exemption allowing the use of a specific chemical – UV-328 - in water sealant tape and adhesives for the aircraft industry. Many of the American businesses at the conventions credited the U.S. government delegation for securing a new exemption at the Stockholm Convention allowing the use of a specific chemical – UV-328 - in water sealant tape and adhesives for the aircraft industry. There are no feasible alternatives to the chemical, which is uniquely effective in providing the durability, flexibility, and moisture resistance required for such products. Without the exemption, U.S. manufacturers would face supply chain disruptions, production slowdowns, increased costs, and potential market share losses to foreign competitors. Similarly, the U.S. government played a key role at the Basel Convention in opposing a proposal that threatened to restrict the export of used components and materials intended for pollution abatement and recovery. U.S. tech companies depend on global recycling networks to reclaim valuable elements like rare earth minerals from electronics and to process their waste as cost effectively as possible. In recent months, the U.S. government has stepped back from engagement with international organizations and treaties on environmental issues and did not send delegations to the 62nd Plenary Session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) 83rd Maritime Environment Protection Meeting, or the Petersberg Climate Summit. But as companies and stakeholders await the outcome of President Trump's Executive Order calling for a 180-day review of American involvement in international organizations and treaties, we can't let our influence abroad diminish. We need to claim a seat at the table of negotiation efforts so that U.S. business's interests are not sidelined or ignored. For example, at the BRS conventions the U.S. was excluded from participating in the discussion on the exemption to decide whether to ban UV-328, the chemical used in airplane manufacturing, despite the potential ban's implications for American manufacturers. But since the U.S. has not ratified the Stockholm Convention, and therefore holds only observer status, the exclusion was permissible. There are consequences when the U.S. lacks a formal seat at the table – namely, the government's inability to oppose decisions that may be bad for our economy. When the U.S. shows up and engages, American industry has a voice in shaping international decisions that affect its bottom line. From protecting critical aerospace materials to influencing the trajectory of global chemical regulations, U.S. participation in the BRS Conventions proved essential in defending economic interests and ensuring fair outcomes. As global environmental governance continues to expand, American companies cannot afford for their government to be absent. A strong, consistent U.S. presence at the negotiating table is not just beneficial — it is necessary to safeguard innovation, competitiveness, and economic security in a rapidly evolving global marketplace.
