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The list of hazardous substances is endless, however, the following characteristics help in their identification.
Explosive: A substance which is itself capable of chemical reaction of producing gas at such a temperature and pressure and at such speed as to cause damage to the sarroundings e.g
Flammable Solids: Substances or wastes liable to spontaneous combustion, e.g. potassium sulphide
Flammable Liquids: e.g. paints, varnishes, fuels like petrol, lacquers etc.
Oxidising Substances: substances yielding oxygen and may cause or contribute to the combustion of other materials, e.g. nitrates, permanganates.
Organic Peroxides: These are poisonous (acute) substances liable to either cause death or serious injury if swallowed, inhaled or by skin contact, e.g. butanone peroxides,
Infectious Substances: These are substances containing micro-organisms known or suspected to cause disease in animals and humans.
Corrosives: These are substances that by chemical reaction will cause damage when they come in contact with a living tissue or goods. (e.g. acids and alkalis).
Toxic: Substances that if inhaled, ingested or penetrate the skin may involve delayed or chronic effects. (e.g. plastic fumes, ammonia).
Effects of Hazardous Substances on Humans and the Environment
The variety of hazardous substances used in our everyday lives brings with them an equally great variety of well-documented health effects.
In some cases, these substances may irritate the skin or eyes, make it difficult to breathe, cause headaches and nausea, or result in other types of illness.
Some hazardous substances may cause far more severe health effects, including behavioural abnormalities, cancer, genetic mutations, physiological malfunctions (e.g. reproductive impairment, kidney failure, etc.), physical deformations, and birth defects.
Impacts on the environment can be just as devastating. Hazardous substances can kill living organisms in a lake or river, destroy wildlife and vegetation in a contaminated area, cause major reproductive complications in wildlife, or otherwise limit the ability of an ecosystem to survive.
Certain hazardous substances also have the potential to explode or cause a fire, threatening both wildlife and human populations.
Why Register?
Having noted the characteristics of hazardous substances, it is evident that they are injurious to animals and human health.
We cannot completely scrap off these substances because they are essential for our development.
Instead, registering with the Environmental Management Agency enables easy monitoring for the safety of the public and the environment.
Registration can be done at EMA offices in all the districts and provinces of Zimbabwe Statutory Instrument 12 of 2007 calls for the licencing of any of the following categories;
1. Manufacturer, importer, seller, storage of hazardous substances.
2. Local transporters.
3. Foreign transporters.
4. User of hazardous substances.
Information required when registering
- Details of the principal suppliers of the hazardous substances.
- Details of the importer/manufacturer, user and keeper.
- Material Safety Data Sheet.
Additional for transporters
- Precautions to be taken for the protection of the public.
- Certificate of fitness for the horse and trailer of the truck.
- Registration book of the horse and trailer.
Public Notice to Transporters of Hazardous Substances
- The transportation of hazardous substances must be done under a permit/licence (Statutory Instrument 12 of 2007).
- Such transportation must be confined to 0600hrs-1800hrs (Statutory Instrument 5 of 2011)
- Any accidental spillage must be reported to EMA both verbally and in writing within eight hours and the transporter should ensure that the area is cleaned up to retain to its usable state (Statutory Instrument 12 of 2007).
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Online Reporter
Peter Tanyanyiwa