When I asked my boss for our
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), I was handed a very large binder, which
included several data sheets. I work at a dental office so there are a lot of
materials we use in our workplace. I decided to look at a disinfectant we use
everyday, CaviCide. CaviCide is a disinfectant spray that we use to disinfect
the rooms after we see each patient and ingredients include 3 main chemicals.
Some of the potential health risks listed on the MSDS include inhalation
hazards of irritation of the nose, throat, and upper respiratory tract as well
as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and possible unconsciousness. Ingestion hazards
include gastrointestinal disturbances and central nervous system effects. It is
stated that none of the components in the product are listed as a carcinogen.
Personal protection includes general ventilation, gloves, and eye protection.
As a previous assistant that would clean/prepare an operatory, I was told to
use gloves and wear a mask when using CaviCide but I was never educated about
the potential health risks associated with use and the smell of the spray is
very strong and I can still smell it through my mask and the smell remains in
the air for some time after it has been used.
One
of the main chemical ingredients in CaviCide is Isopropanol. According to
ToxNet, human exposure to Isopropanol is related to toxic effects that include
central nervous depression, liver, kidney, cardiovascular depression and brain
damage. It can also cause ataxia, stupor, coma and respiratory
depression, irritation of mucous membranes and eyes, gastritis, gastric
hemorrhage, vomiting, pancreatitis, cold clammy skin, hypothermia, miosis,
tachycardia, slow and noisy respiration. Though some of these health risks
were mentioned in the MSDS, ToxNet results revealed many more health effects
including information found from multiple studies. So in this case, I would day that the MSDS
provided by the manufacturer was an inadequate tool especially considering that
the ToxNet results were just for one of the three main chemicals in the
product. This is especially concerning considering the fact that this product
is used multiple times a day during a regular workday.
Hi Marisa,
ReplyDeleteYou made the point that the MSDS doesn't include everything, but I think it can still be useful in highlighting the main health hazards from the primary chemicals. Considering that you know this information, do you think it would be possible to phase off of this chemical and find a safer alternative? It appears that the workplace could benefit from changing products.
Hi Marisa,
ReplyDeleteI was curious to see what you would say about the dental office that you worked in since you brought up the point that individuals who have been working in dental offices are starting to get lung cancer. It seems like the MSDS for Cavicide isnt as comprehensive as it should be. Maybe further investigation of it can help reduce the risk of lung cancer.
Thank you for your post!
Kera