Getting Started

What is Hydrogen Peroxide? Hydrogen peroxide was first discovered in the early 19th century, but the pure chemical was not produced until 1894. Today, this chemical is produced in quantities of more than 2 million tons worldwide each year. Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound usually produced as a diluted solution. This colorless, slightly viscous […]

What is Phosphoric Acid? Phosphoric acid is a colorless, odorless mineral acid. With an acidic taste and somewhat viscous consistency, phosphoric acid is used in a wide variety of products and industries. Despite its popularity, this chemical can pose some potentially significant health hazards and should be handled with caution. Common Uses of Phosphoric Acid […]

What is Sodium Carbonate? Sodium carbonate is a white crystalline or powdered chemical that is odorless with an alkaline taste. This material comes from the ashes of plants that grow in sodium-rich soil. Also known as soda ash, sodium carbonate is sometimes produced synthetically from salt and limestone. Sodium carbonate can cause mild-to-severe health hazards and should […]

What is Calcium Chloride? Calcium chloride is an odorless, white, crystalline solid compound that is highly soluble in water. A type of salt, this calcium chloride is hygroscopic, which means it can attract and absorb water molecules from its surroundings. In fact, calcium chloride can attract several times its own weight in water, dissolving into a […]

What is Nitric Acid? Commonly used in fertilizers (and in rare occasions even explosives) Nitric acid is a colorless or yellow liquid with a characteristically acrid, caustic odor and corrosive properties. This mineral acid has a variety of applications and presents several health hazards if used without the necessary safety precautions. Here are some important […]

What is Diethyl Ether? Previously used as an anesthetic, Diethyl ether is an organic compound used primarily as a solvent. This colorless, highly volatile chemical has a pungent, yet somewhat sweet odor. Due to its extreme flammability and other potential hazards, diethyl ether should be stored and handled with extreme care in the workplace. Read […]

What is Ethyl Acetate and Where is it Found? Ethyl acetate is a relatively common chemical used in a variety of industrial and household products. This compound liquid is colorless, with a characteristically sweet, pleasant odor. Due to its potential hazards, ethyl acetate should be stored and handled appropriately to avoid hazards to your health. […]

What is Isopropyl Alcohol? Isopropyl alcohol is a colorless liquid found in household and workplace products alike. Due to its high flammability and potential health hazards, it is important to handle isopropyl alcohol in a safe manner no matter what the setting. Common Uses of Isopropyl Alcohol Two of isopropyl alcohol’s most popular uses are […]

What is Hexane and Where Can it Be Found? Hexane is a chemical commonly extracted from petroleum and crude oil. It is a colorless liquid that gives off a subtle, gasoline-like odor. Hexane is highly flammable, yet it can be found in many household products such as stain removers for arts and crafts projects. Because […]

Here are 5 stories, with 5 lessons, that illustrate why chemicals in the workplace, no matter the size of the company or the number of employees, are serious business. As demonstrated below, how chemicals are used, stored, labeled, and disposed of, and how employees are trained on chemical hazards, affects workers, customers, and in some […]