When it comes to dangerous goods, many people think that they will only appear in laboratories, or specific industrial use situations.
But in fact, the cleaning agents and styling sprays commonly used in daily life are all dangerous goods.
If you lack safety awareness and take it lightly, it will cause various dangers in minutes, such as fire, poisoning, burns, and even life-threatening!
For the general public, if the packaging, marking and labelling of dangerous goods are improperly used, or if they are not stored properly, and if safety measures or inspection procedures are missed, they will also put themselves and those around them in crisis.
Flammable, toxic, corrosive and other dangerous goods are always around, everyone must be vigilant!
Photography: Zheng Zifeng
Dangerous goods are also risky in the manufacture, storage, transportation and use, so whether it is for daily use or industrial needs, we must remain vigilant.
In order to enhance the protection of public safety, the amendments to the Dangerous Goods Ordinance (Chapter 295 of the Laws of Hong Kong) and its subsidiary legislation have been completed and came into effect on March 31 this year.
This includes updating the classification of dangerous goods to bring local classification systems into line with international standards.
At the same time, the number of dangerous goods controlled by the Fire Services Department has also increased significantly from about 400 to about 1,700.
In addition, the packaging, marking and labelling requirements for dangerous goods have also been updated to align with international standards.
For the convenience of the trade and the public, the ordinance also sets the amount of dangerous goods exempted and other exemptions. For example, dangerous goods stored in less than the exempted amount can be exempted from applying for a license; dangerous goods such as alcohol-based hand sanitizers that are purchased and used by the public in consumer packages are exempted. Packaging, marking and labelling requirements, etc. can be waived.
How important is public awareness of the storage of dangerous goods and their packaging, marking and labelling?
And what impact will this revision of the Dangerous Goods Ordinance have on the general public?
This time, I have invited Chen Junjie (Dr. Huo), Assistant Professor of Science Education, Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology to teach you 4 tips, starting from understanding the risks of dangerous goods, and learning important knowledge on storage and use.
Tip 1: Recognize the dangerous goods around you and understand the classification and related risks
Dr. Huo believes that there are three main categories of dangerous goods that are easily accessible in daily life: flammable liquids (category 3), toxic substances (category 6.1) and corrosive substances (category 8).
Flammable liquids include all kinds of solvents, that is, some organic cleaners such as Tianna water, nail polish remover, alcohol, etc., and common toxic substances such as rat poison, mercury, etc.
Strong cleaning products are usually corrosive, such as high-concentration bleach, channel water containing sulfuric acid, or kosz's with sodium hydroxide.
Dr. Huo continued to point out that disinfectant alcohol and bleach are commonly used during the epidemic. The former can cause a fire if it accidentally comes into contact with a fire source, while the latter is corrosive and can cause serious burns if it directly contacts the skin or enters the eyes. Mixing with other chemicals It can also produce poisonous gas. "If bleach is mixed with acidic substances, chlorine gas will be produced, which may lead to poisoning after excessive inhalation."
Dr. Huo shared that in the past, some people would use hydrochloric acid to wash the floor of the toilet, but they poured bleach into the toilet when they were not cleaned, which caused a large amount of chlorine gas to be generated, which is easy to be poisoned by inhalation.
In addition to daily necessities, due to the large amount of dangerous goods in industrial use, extra care must be taken in storage and use.
Dr. Huo explained that highly reactive metals such as potassium, sodium, and calcium are Class 4.3 dangerous goods, that is, substances that emit flammable gases in contact with water, while Class 5.1 oxidizing substances are more likely to catch fire if mixed with flammable substances. Different types of dangerous goods should be stored separately, such as flammable materials and oxidative combustion-supporting substances, acid and alkaline substances, etc.” A familiarity with the classification, marking and labeling of dangerous goods can help to enhance the understanding of risks.
Merchants must also use appropriate packaging according to the classification of dangerous goods to ensure the safety of use and transportation to avoid accidents.
After this revision of the Dangerous Goods Ordinance, the number of dangerous goods regulated locally has reached 2,300, and the number of dangerous goods regulated by the Fire Services Department has also increased to about 1,700, greatly expanding the scope of regulation.
Some common substances that were not classified as dangerous goods before the amendments, such as sodium nitrite for meat preservatives, were included as Category 5.1 oxidizing substances, and mercury (mercury) in thermometers was also included as Category 8 corrosive substances (secondary dangerous substances). Properties: Class 6.1 Toxic Substances).
Dr. Huo pointed out that the classification system after the amendments is in line with the international ones, which is more effective in safeguarding safety: "The classification, marking and labelling of dangerous goods conform to international rules, and can be handled more uniformly and systematically, especially when importing and exporting dangerous goods. The same set of dangerous goods classification, from the markings and labels on the packaging to understand the relevant hazards, so as to strengthen the safety measures.” Some dangerous goods have more than one hazard at the same time, such as mercury is toxic, it will corrode aluminum metal, if it comes into contact with aluminum Aircraft made of metal may break and crack the fuselage, resulting in an air crash.
Therefore, the packaging, marking and labeling of dangerous goods are very important. "Each type of dangerous goods has its own characteristics. It is necessary to choose suitable transport packaging for each type of dangerous goods, such as what kind of containers should be used for storage, or how much should be done. Leak-proof protection, etc., and affix appropriate marks and labels on the packaging. Corresponding protective measures should also be taken during storage, transportation and use.”
Tip 2: Know the risks when using dangerous goods!
As mentioned above, the risks brought by different types of dangerous goods, Dr. Huo immediately measured 4 types of dangerous goods that households and industries often come into contact with: potassium (category 4.3 substances that emit flammable gases in contact with water), potassium permanganate ( Class 5.1 oxidizing substances), sulfuric acid (class 8 corrosive substances) and fire wine (class 3 flammable liquids), look at the crisis caused!
Experiment 1: When Potassium Metal Meets Water
It is found that when highly reactive metals such as potassium come into contact with water, they will immediately produce chemical effects and may catch fire, and may cause explosions in large quantities.
Dr. Huo reminded that the storage of such dangerous substances should be kept away from water sources.
Experiment 2: Pour glycerin/potato chips over a strong oxidant
Glycerol is an organic substance that is easily oxidized. If it comes into contact with a strong oxidant (potassium permanganate), it will burn violently. Careless handling may cause a fire.
Dr. Huo then added high-concentration sulfuric acid to potassium permanganate to produce a stronger oxidant: manganese heptaoxide. In the experiment, potato chips were placed in dark green, oily manganese heptaoxide, which immediately caught fire within a few seconds.
Dr. Fire pointed out that any combustible substance can achieve the same effect. If you put a piece of cloth into it, it can also cause a fire, so you must pay attention to the danger.
Experiment 3: Pour high concentration sulfuric acid on cotton cloth
As soon as the high-concentration sulfuric acid comes into contact with the cotton cloth, it begins to slowly corrode the cloth, and the cotton cloth is carbonized and dissolved, showing black holes one by one.
Dr. Huo reminded that if the body skin comes into contact with high concentrations of sulfuric acid, it can cause severe chemical burns. If it gets into the eyes, it will lead to blindness and become irreversible physical damage.
Experiment 4: When sterilized fire wine (ethanol) meets the fire source
If the sterilizing fire wine comes into contact with the fire source, it will immediately start a fire.
Dr. Huo pointed out that if there is too much disinfectant fire wine in the home, accidentally leaking and encountering fire, the fire may spread rapidly after the fire, and it is difficult to control.
He also pointed out that some flammable liquids cannot be put out with water after they catch fire. For example, gasoline is a lighter liquid than water and cannot be dissolved in water. Fire must be treated with foam extinguishing agent.
Tip 3: Recognize the label pattern, color, number and risk!
There will be labels on the packaging of each type of dangerous goods. In addition to helping identification, they can also be used to remind surrounding people about the dangers of application or transportation.
The labelling required under the newly revised Dangerous Goods Regulations is in line with international transport rules.
Dangerous goods labels are red, blue, yellow, green, orange and other eye-catching background colors, which represent different dangers, together with relevant simple and easy-to-understand patterns and classification of dangerous goods, so that everyone can easily identify the relevant dangers.
Dr. Huo explained: "Dangerous goods have different dangers, and they need to be accompanied by unique labels so that people can easily distinguish them, so that corresponding safety measures can be implemented." Dangerous goods must be packaged appropriately, and labels should be attached to the packaging. , and must also be marked with the UN number (or Hong Kong number) and proper shipping name (or real name) of the dangerous goods.
Through the UN number, members of the public can view information on dangerous goods at the Fire Services Department's thematic website on dangerous goods.
Dr. Huo pointed out that the text and warning words on the packaging of dangerous goods may be in foreign languages. For users, the UN number of dangerous goods can be used as the common language except for the labels of dangerous goods.
The industry can also conduct risk assessments based on the classification and characteristics of dangerous goods to enhance safety.
As for the dangerous goods in consumer packaging on the market, such as disinfectant alcohol, drain water, etc., there is a chance that because the packaging, marking and labelling requirements are exempted, the public may not be able to find the above information on the packaging of the goods.
There is a chance that such items will bear another warning label that is not regulated by the Dangerous Goods Regulations.
The more common one is the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) label based on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.
GHS labels with a diamond-shaped red frame and a white background can be divided into 9 types, including explosives, flammable, oxidizing, compressed gas, corrosive, toxic, harmful (acute toxicity, skin irritation, etc.), health hazards (such as Respiratory sensitization, carcinogenicity, germ cell mutagenicity, etc.) and environmental hazards are marked by different simple and easy-to-understand patterns, representing risks during use.
Although this set of labels is not required under the Dangerous Goods Ordinance, it can also inform users of the dangers of the goods.
Tip 4: Be careful of dangerous goods during transportation and storage!
Due to various risks, Dr. Huo reminds everyone that dangerous goods should be kept away from children to prevent children from using dangerous goods by mistake.
Before use, users should read the label, understand the risks and consider the storage location. For example, flammable substances and oxidizing substances should be stored separately and kept away from fire; compressed gas should be kept away from direct sunlight or placed in high temperature places.
When using dangerous goods, members of the public should enhance their safety awareness and wear gloves and goggles to protect their bodies when necessary.
At the same time, you should not store a large amount of dangerous goods such as disinfectant fire wine at home, and buy them only when you need to use them.
According to the law, no one except a licensed person shall manufacture, store, transport or use any dangerous goods.
For the convenience of the public and the trade, the revised Dangerous Goods Ordinance still grants the public different exemptions.
The Ordinance sets out the exempted quantities of various dangerous goods. Anyone who stores, transports and uses dangerous goods that do not exceed the exempted quantities does not need to apply for a dangerous goods license from the Fire Services Department.
In addition, consumer packaged dangerous goods, alcoholic beverages and dangerous goods that form part of machines (such as refrigerants in air conditioners) are exempted from the packaging, marking and labelling requirements.
Although some dangerous goods are exempted, it is illegal if the container, packaging, marking and labelling of dangerous goods are not up to standard.
Taking compressed gas as an example, all relevant containers must be approved by the Director of Fire Services before they can be used.
There will be a 24-month transition period after the implementation of the new amendment ordinance to facilitate the trade, dangerous brand licensees and the general public to adapt to the requirements under the new ordinance.
For more information, members of the public may visit the Fire Services Department's thematic website on dangerous goods: www.hkfsd.gov.hk/dg
(Information provided by Hong Kong Fire Services Department)
