You have been learning about describing and classifying matter.

Now you will turn your attention to the properties of chemicals. Did you know that all chemical substances are considered to be matter? Chemical substances are all around us. They are useful, but some can be dangerous.

Here are some questions to think about as you work through this activity:

1. Does the substance have special handling or storage requirements?

2. How will it react with other substances?

3. How should you dispose of it?

You may not realize this, but you use a lot of chemicals every day. The toothpaste you use to brush your teeth and the clothes you wear contain chemicals. So do the substances that make up your body.

Some chemicals that you use around the house can be dangerous. Here are some examples:

Chlorine is useful because it is poisonous. Small amounts are used to kill
bacteria in drinking water and swimming pools and to get rid of mildew. Exposure to large amounts causes respiratory failure (conditions that affects being able to breathe) and can even lead to death.

Other common household materials have similar dangers. You will find ammonia in many household cleaners. Lye is used in oven cleaners and soaps. Methane is a common fuel. If not handled properly, each of these chemicals can cause death.

Chemicals can also pose hazards when they are mixed. The chemical
reactions that occur can form even more dangerous chemicals. Such reactions can produce poisonous gases, corrosive liquids, or explosions. Other chemicals are harmful to the environment.

Check This Out!

The following table outlines the uses and dangers of chemicals you
probably have around your home.

Chemical Storage and Disposal

Some chemicals are not just dangerous when you are using them but can also be dangerous if they are not properly stored or disposed of.

Household products that contain toxic chemicals should be stored out of the reach of children. Bleach and ammonia can react strongly to one another, so they should be stored separately. Containers of oven cleaner may explode if heated or crushed, so they should be stored away from heat.

Gasoline, camping fuel, and paint thinners can catch fire so easily that they should be stored outside your living area.

Special care is also needed when disposing of chemical substances. Putting them down a drain or in a landfill can cause environmental damage. (Some products will have disposal instructions on the label.)

Household hazardous products can be taken to a special municipal collection site. Such sites may be located at the local fire station or in a special area of a landfill site. Products such as motor oil and car batteries can be taken to service stations for recycling.

Chemicals at School and Work

You do not have to memorize how to use and dispose of chemicals safely. You just have to remember to read the labels.

WHMIS is Canada's way of communicating hazardous information in the workplace. It is a detailed plan to provide information on the safe storage, use, and handling of hazardous materials in the workplace.

Employers are required by law to label hazardous materials properly, have the MSDSs  available to employees, and train and educate employees to ensure materials are stored, handled, and used properly. WHMIS was created to help prevent injuries, illnesses, deaths, medical costs, and fires caused by hazardous products.

In 2015, WHMIS was updated. New international standards were developed for classifying hazardous chemicals and providing information on labels and safety data sheets. These new standards are part of the Globally Harmonized System for the Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) and are being phased in across Canada between February, 2015, and December, 2018. This new system is called WHMIS 2015.

 Chemicals at Home

Hazardous Household Products Symbols

HHPS is a system of symbols for household products to help keep you safe. The Canadian government has made a law that hazardous materials in the home must have labels indicating the dangers of these products. Paints, cleaners, and aerosol cans are some examples of products that have these household symbols.