Lesson 1.3 - Chemicals: Uses and Dangers

Lesson 1.3 - Chemicals: Uses and Dangers

You use chemicals everyday.  You are likely aware of some dangerous chemicals that you use. 

Read page 6 of the textbook to find out if there are some chemicals that you use that are dangerous by themselves or when they are mixed with other chemicals.

Likely, you discovered that some chemicals you use can be very dangerous-and you didn't even know it!  For example, most people are not aware that breathing toluene fumes can cause permanent brain damage.

Question 1. Name three chemicals commonly found in the home that cause burns to body tissues.

Question 2. Some chemicals in solid form can cause lung damage because the chemical can be partly in dust form.  Which of the chemicals in Table 1.1 are in this category?

Then, return here to continue this lesson.

 

The chemicals that you use at home sometimes require special storage.  Most chemicals require special disposal procedures.  Read page 7 in the textbook to learn about the storage and disposal of chemicals.

Question 3. Name three common chemicals that cannot be stored in the house.

Question 4. Explain how you should dispose of some extra paint left from painting your room.

Question 5. Many do-it-yourself mechanics are not aware of the proper disposal requirements for used oil, old antifreeze, and old mechanical parts.  What is the correct disposal of used oil from a lawn mower, old antifreeze from a car, and an old truck battery?

Question 6. What is the meaning of those fish painted by the storm drains?

Then, return here to continue this lesson.

 

 

Congratulations!  You have just completed the first lesson!

 

Now, do Assignment 1A.  It is computer-scored and is available by clicking the page-forward button. It has been designed within a "quiz" tool, but it is not a quiz! The time is not limited, and you can use your notes or materials.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers to Questions:

Question 1. Name three chemicals commonly found in the home that cause burns to body tissues.

From Table 1.1: Ammonia, chlorine, and lye will cause burns to body tissues.

Question 2. Some chemicals in solid form can cause lung damage because the chemical can be partly in dust form.  Which of the chemicals in Table 1.1 are in this category?

From Table 1.1: Cleaners that contain chlorine and lye are in this category.

 

Click to return to where you left off in this lesson.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers to Questions:

Question 3. Name three common chemicals that cannot be stored in the house.

Some chemicals you cannot store safely in your house are gasoline, camping fuel, and paint thinner.

Question 4. Explain how you should dispose of some extra paint left from painting your room.

Leftover paint is a big problem.  It must not be thrown out in the regular garbage.  Often, a paint and chemical roundup is held in the spring and fall.  Local firehall or special groups set up collection areas for all toxic substances that cannot be thrown out in the regular garbage. Then, these are sent to the proper location for disposal, such as Swan Hills Hazardous Waste Plant.  You should take hazardous materials such as leftover paint to a hazardous waste roundup collection area.

Question 5. Many do-it-yourself mechanics are not aware of the proper disposal requirements for used oil, old antifreeze, and old mechanical parts.  What is the correct disposal of used oil from a lawn mower, old antifreeze from a car, and an old truck battery?

Used oil can be taken to a local collection area for disposal.  Many recycling places have containers where used oil, antifreeze, and other fluids are collected and recycled.  Never pour used fluids on back lanes or any roads, and never pour any used mechanical fluids down the drain.  Old batteries should be taken to the recycling centre.

Question 6. What is the meaning of those fish painted by the storm drains?

Someone painted those fish there to remind people that anything that goes down that drain ends up in rivers or lakes where fish live.  If the substances dumped down the drain are toxic, the fish will be killed or the habitat damaged.

 

 

Click to return to where you left off in this lesson.