Hazardous substances: Why the concern?

environment through any of the following ways:
i) Highly Explosive and Inflammable substances – certain hazardous substances have the potential to explode or cause a fire, threatening both wildlife and human populations, e.g.

Acetylene used in welding;

Petrol and liquid petroleum gas and methane gas from coal mines.

ii) Formation of toxic cloud that is not always visible may or may not smell, e.g.

Ammonia which has a strong smell and forms a cloud; and

Nitric acid, hydraulic and sulphuric acids which are corrosive and produce toxic fumes.

iii) Contamination of the Environment – some hazardous substances can kill living organisms in lakes or rivers; destroy wildlife and vegetation in contaminated areas, e.g.

Cyanide, a chemical used in gold processing can leak and contaminate water sources.

Lead, a chemical found in batteries and to a lesser extent in fuel, can contaminate the environment.

Dioxines, these are chemicals found in oils of transformers and from burning plastics at temperatures below 1 000 degrees Celsius which tend to remain in the environment and pollute the atmosphere.

iv) Poisoning when ingested or inhaled this can be accidental or deliberate in suicide cases.

Poisoning can occur through ingestion of pesticides or other poisons.

v) Damage to body organs – 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, e.g.

A chemical called mercury commonly used by gold panners can cause brain damage.

Radioactive materials can cause cancer.

History of Emergencies Involving Hazardous Substances in Zimbabwe
In the home, accidental poisoning is uncommon, however, ingestion of dangerous chemicals like pesticides is common.

In Industry: A number of emergencies have occurred in industry and these have involved chemicals like sulphuric acid spills and cyanide spills that have contaminated water sources.
During Transportation: Most emergencies involving dangerous chemicals occur during transportation and these have involved petrol, liquid petroleum gas and other dangerous chemicals. In 2010 the Agency recorded 10 spillages mainly in the Marongora area along the Chirundu Road.

Why Register?
Registering hazardous substances 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 licensing 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.

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 its usable state (Statutory Instrument 12 of 2007).

SAFETY TIPS
In the Home Storage

Avoid handling large stocks of dangerous chemicals.

Keep away from foodstuffs.

Follow manufacturer’s instructions on storage on the package.

Use

Only use labelled chemicals.

Only use as prescribed by the manufacturer.

Avoid excessive contact with chemicals, use protective clothing, e.g. gloves

Correctly dispose of empty containers.

Never use empty containers of dangerous chemicals for other purposes like cooking, storing foodstuffs, water.

Steps to Take in Cases of Accidents Involving Chemical Spills and/or Gas Leakage
If your home or building is under threat from an approaching fire or spill from the traffic accident: Secure your home or building, close doors, windows, lock, vacate and proceed as follows: