Among the 49 new chemical substances manufactured or imported in the first quarter of this year, 17 were found to have hazardous properties and risks.
On the 31st, the Ministry of Employment and Labor announced the 49 new chemical substances manufactured or imported in the first quarter of this year and disclosed information on their hazards, risks, and preventive measures for workers' health damage.
Manufacturers or importers of new chemical substances are required under the Industrial Safety and Health Act to submit a hazard and risk investigation report to the Ministry of Employment and Labor at least 30 days before the date of manufacture or import. The Ministry reviews these reports and regularly announces the names, hazards, and risks of new chemical substances.
The 49 new chemical substances announced this time include Silylbenzene, Palladium(II) acetate, and 4-Iodotoluene. The Ministry confirmed hazards such as germ cell mutagenicity, acute toxicity, skin corrosion/sensitization, and aquatic environmental toxicity in 17 of these substances.
To protect workers handling hazardous or dangerous chemical substances, the Ministry notified employers who manufacture or import these substances to implement preventive measures for workers' health damage, such as installing local exhaust ventilation systems in the workplace and providing appropriate personal protective equipment for the substances handled.
Additionally, manufacturers and importers of new chemical substances are required to provide notification documents when transferring or supplying these substances. To help workplaces identify and respond to the hazards and risks of substances, it is recommended that Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) reflect the hazard and risk information of the substances, and that these be posted or kept in easily accessible locations within the workplace.
Choi Tae-ho, Director of Industrial Accident Prevention and Supervision Policy, stated, "As the chemical industry develops, new chemical substances continue to be discovered and used, but many substances still have unknown hazards and risks. For the safety and health of workers, it is essential to recognize the risks associated with handling chemical substances and learn how to respond. The use of hazardous substances should be minimized as much as possible, and health measures such as providing personal protective equipment and installing local exhaust ventilation systems must be thoroughly implemented."
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