GHS: Globally Harmonized System for Hazard Communication
(Article #20)

SINGING IN HARMONY!

Chemicals are more and more a part of our lives. From use in the science classroom, to applications in our food, use of pesticides on our soil, and contaminants in our air, it is critical that there is information available to understand the nature of these chemicals.The character of chemicals and criteria for chemical hazard communication has been an increasingly important issue, as they are manufactured and transported around the world. Chemical hazard communication standards run the spectrum from well-prescribed to non-existent. Without standardized requirements globally trade barriers will exist in the chemical business. In addition, incomplete or missing chemical information has proven hazardous to the general population and professional communities.

Responding to these problems, the United Nations accepted an international mandate to develop the Globally Harmonized System or GHS for hazard classification and labeling. This was adopted at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, also known as the Earth Summit. The agreements regarding the Global Harmonization System addressed the following two items:

1. There is a need to develop harmonized hazard classification and labeling systems.

2. A globally harmonized hazard classification and compatible labeling system, including Material Safety Data Sheets and understandable symbols should be available by the year 2000.

The GHS promises to deliver several specific benefits. Among them are:

1. fostering regulatory efficiency

2. promoting trade

3. easing compliance

4. reducing costs

5. making the availability of improved, consistent hazard information

6. advocating of the safe transport, handling and use of chemicals

7. promoting improved emergency response to chemical incidents, etc.

8. reducing the need for animal testing.

Although the original objective was not reached in the year 2000, much progress has been made. The UN created a Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS Sub-Committee). In 2001, the GHS Sub-Committee received the first version of a GHS for consideration. The technical work was divided among three international organizations: Organization for Economic Cooperationand Development (OECD) [http://www.oecd.org/ehs/Class/index/htm], United Nations-Committee of experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNCETDG) (http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/danger.htm), and the International Labor Organization (ILO) [http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/ghs/wghchc.htm]. In 2002, the World Summit on Sustainable Development encouraged countries to adopt the new GHS so as to have the system operational by 2008.

THE LYRICS PLEASE!

The three strands making up the GHS are 1.) Classification of substances, 2.) Classification of mixtures and 3.) "An internationally-comprehensible system for hazard communication." Target groups for the GHS include the workplace use (e.g., school science laboratories) with labels and safety data sheets, household use with labels, transportation with labels, placards, and transportation documents and emergency responders. The key harmonized information elements include symbols/pictograms, signal words, hazard statements, product identifier/ingredient disclosure, precautionary information and safety data sheets. A new set of symbols have been developed for the GHS. For example, an exclamation mark will represent "low level" health hazard. A fish and tree symbol for environmental hazard.

Chemical classification systems according to health and environmental hazards will include the following:

1. acute toxicity

2. skin irritation/corrosion

3. eye irritation/corrosion

4. respiratory or skin sensitization

5. mutations in germ cells

6. cancer

7. reproductive toxicity

8. target organ orientated systemic toxicity

9. hazardous to the aquatic environment

10. hazardous to the terrestrial environment, and

11. chemical mixtures.

Chemical classification systems according to physical hazards will include the following:

1. flammable liquids, solids and gases

2. aerosols

3. pyrophoric liquids and solids

4. self-heating substances

5. substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases

6. oxidizing liquids, solids and gases

7. organic peroxides

8. self-reactive substances

9. explosive substances (liquid or solid) and explosive articles, and

10. corrosive to metals.

THIS SONG IS DEDICATED TO YOU!

So what does all of this really have to do with science education? Interestingly enough, the GHS system will bring a number of changes, depending on the country in which you happen to live and/or work. There will be new signage symbols, new regulations for content information on safety data sheets and even changes in definitions for words like flammable. In the United States, a flammable liquid is defined by the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) as "any liquid having a flash point below 100 deg. F. (37.8 deg. C.). Under the new GHS, a flammable liquid means a "liquid having a flash point of not more than 93 deg. F (33.9 deg. C.).

Once implemented, science teachers will need to learn and foster the GHS system in their classrooms and laboratories. Certainly, science textbooks will also need to reflect the change to the internationally accepted system. If this safety initiative is to succeed, the success will in part, depend on science teachers working with the "future" inside their laboratories and classrooms.

Hopefully, this major international effort will lead to other productive areas of agreement to promote education and general health.

LIVE LONG AND PROSPER WITH SAFETY!

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Dr. Ken Roy
K-12 Director of Science & Safety & authorized OSHA instructor
c/o Glastonbury Public Schools
Glastonbury, CT 06033-3099
Fax 860-652-7275
E-Mail: royk@glastonburyus.org