DANGEROUSNESS OF CHEMICAL PRODUCTS AND WASTE FROM HOSPITAL CARE

Abstract

This descriptive study aimed to identify the dangerousness attributable to chemical products and waste resulting from hospital care. The institution serving as field of study was the University Hospital of the University of São Paulo; information was collected from documents from the institution’s storerooms and pharmacy. Analysis of the data found evidence for 23 chemical compounds with flammable, corrosive, reactive or toxic potential, both for products or waste; these were acetic acid, peracetic acid and trichloroacetic acid, as well as acetone, ethyl alcohol, benzene, benzocaine, cyclophosphamide, ether, formalin, ganciclovir, halothane, potassium hydroxide, sodium hypochlorite, isoflurane, glutaraldehyde, mineral oil, nitric oxide, potassium permanganate, hydrogen peroxide, sevoflurane, tincture of benzoin and xylol. The dangerousness characteristics of the products and their respective wastes, must be identified, analyzed and considered in the Management Plan for Dangerous Chemical Wastes, so avoiding risks to workers’ health, public health and the environment.

Keywords

• Chemical compounds
• Chemical waste
• Teaching hospitals
• Occupational health
• Environmental health