Chemicals in our everyday life: how to recognize them and protect health?

In today’s world, chemicals are used not only in industrial areas, for example, they are found in non-perishable foods or medicines, so it is important to pay attention to the concentration and nature of these substances.

Monika Avižienė, chief specialist of the Chemicals Department of the Environmental Protection Agency, says that in order to assess the impact of chemicals on health and the environment, attention should be paid to the main components of products. “Some of them are not dangerous, such as glycerol or sodium salt, but products can also contain substances that are dangerous to health, such as fragrances that can cause allergies, acids and alkalis that can burn or irritate the skin, eyes or respiratory tract and etc.”.

M. Avižienė says that the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) collects and provides information about chemicals produced and imported into Europe. According to the specialist, on the website of this agency, you can also find information about substances that can have a negative impact on the environment and human health. In Lithuania, the specialists of the Environmental Protection Agency provide consultations regarding the regulation of chemical substances and their supply to the market.

How are chemicals classified and labeled?

According to M. Avižienė, chemical substances are classified according to several main criteria: physical, chemical, toxicological, ecotoxicological properties. Before placing chemicals or their mixtures on the market, suppliers must label them in accordance with the requirements of the CLP regulation. If the substances are dangerous – additionally provide product safety data sheets, which describe in detail what substances are in the product, their properties, dangers and recommended safety measures.

You can find out about dangerous chemicals in a product by carefully reading the product label. Standard hazard symbols of the European Union are used in Lithuania, which comply with the CLP regulation. These symbols include pictures (toxicity, flammability, explosion, environmental harm, etc.) and words (caution or danger) that indicate danger. The label often includes the name or common symbol of the hazardous substance to make it clear what the substance is, and may also include a description of the hazard and recommendations for safety measures, a CAS (chemical compound registration) number, and a link to a safety data sheet.

Environmental Protection Agency press release