A Chemical SafetyTimeline

Russ PhiferWC Environmental, LLC

West Chester, PA

Prehistory-Pliny-Paracelsus-Ramazzini-Pure Food& Drug Act-Canaries-ASSE-NSC-RoSPA-OSHA

Early History

• Prehistoric men learned what foods killedpeople and animals, and what plant extractsto put on arrow tips for hunting

• They learned not to eat things that killedother people

• Early writings from Egypt, Mesopotamia,Greece, Rome, India, and China all discusspoisons and medicines

Gaius Plinius Secundus(Pliny, the Elder -AD 23-79)

• Invented the first respirators to protectworkers from inhaling lead oxide

• First respirators were crudely made fromanimal bladders

Paracelsus (1493-1541)

• Developed the basis for modern toxicology – “What is itthat is not poison? All things are poison and nothing iswithout poison. It is the dose only that makes a thing nota poison”.

• First to publish a description of the symptoms of chronicmercury poisoning; Also developed the first“chemotherapy” – using mercury for the treatment ofsyphilis (used for over 350 years)

• First to recognize silicosis came from inhaling metalvapors

Dr. BernardinoRamazzini (1633-1714)

• Recognized as the founder of the discipline ofoccupational medicine

• First to shift questions from “Where does it hurt”to “What type of work do you do?”

• Examined 43 different occupations for diseases orafflictions and offered practical advice forprevention/mitigation

1700’s & 1800’s –first “modern” respirators

• First Self-contained breathing apparatusand first air-purifying respirators weredeveloped

• 1814 – particulate-removing filter in a rigidcontainer first developed

• 1854 – value of activated carbon forfiltering vapors first recognized

1800’s - First “field” instrumentfor chemical safety

Used for methane & carbon monoxide detection

Early Safety Organizations

• Marine Hospital Service (predecessor agency toUS Public Health Service & NIH), first industrialhygiene laboratory - 1887

• American Society of Safety Engineers – 1911• National Safety Council – 1913• Holmes Safety Association – 1916 (mine safety)• British Industrial “Safety First” Council – 1917• ANSI (- 1918• International Labour Organization – 1919

Safety Glasses/Goggles

• Based on anecdotal evidence, not used atall in labs until mid 1940’s; not commonuntil 1960’s; not universal until 1970’s

Safety Glasses/Goggles?

1920 Pathology/bacteria lab

1931 chemistry lab

1930’s Metallurgical Lab

Fume Hoods

• First fan powered 1930’s

• Alchemists first used fireplace chimneysfor exhaust

Gloves in the Lab

• Not common until 1970’s

• No permeation testing until 1980’s,enabling chemical-specific gloves

OSH Act of 1970

• Occupational Safety and HealthAdministration formed

• Many standards associated with chemicalsafety developed, including personalprotection, eye protection, chemicalexposures, hazard communication, etc.

ANSI Eye ProtectionStandards

• As American Engineering StandardsCommittee, approved first eye protectionstandards for industrial workers in 1921

• ANSI Z88 first implemented in 1980

ACS Division ofChemical Health & Safety

• 1961 - Committee on Professional Relations andStatus recommends formation of ad hocCommittee on Chemical Safety

• 1961 – Council Policy Committee forms ad hoccommittee, and recommends formation ofstanding committee & a safety-oriented technicaldivision

• 1976 – DivCHAS achieves provisional status• 1980 – DivCHAS becomes a full Division

“Modern” inventions

• Heating mantle

• Automatic pipetting

• Micro-scale chemical use

• Computer technology reduces wet-chemistry work

• Automatic monitoring devices

• Automatic & robotic equipment