Evaluación del riesgo higiénico por inhalación de agentes químicos en el laboratorio de análisis biológico de la Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, aplicando metodologías cualitativas: COSHH (essentials control of substances hazardous to health) y easy to use (workplace control scheme for hazardous substances)

Abstract

The inhalation exposure to chemicals as natural as anthropogenic, that occur in the work environment pose a chemical risk, which is generally measured through traditional industrial hygiene by a complex and costly process. Within this study, as an alternative to the conventional methodology, the reverse hygiene model is developed, through these procedures: COSHH and EASY TO USE, to establish in a simply and simple way, the most dangerous chemicals used in the Biological Analysis Laboratory of the University of Cuenca and identify whether or not there is risk by inhalation. Of the 39 compounds evaluated, as a result of the application of the COSHH method, 49% of most chemicals were classified as type C. However, with the application of the EASY TO USE model, it was identified that most substances, 36% are in category B. Once these two qualitative methodologies were developed and the information raised within the laboratory was developed, 5 commonly used chemicals were established, such as sulfuric acid, ethyl ether, acetic acid, chloroform and phenol to apply the colorimetric method, making three environmental measurements for each substance. Finally, environmental measurements made through colorimetric tubes, where the air concentration of each chemical evaluated was obtained it showed that under optimal working conditions, there is no hygienic risk in the laboratory