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International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSC)
International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs) provide essential health and safety information on chemicals. These cards are used by workers and by those who responsible for health and safety in factories, agriculture constructions, agencies responding to chemical accidents and other workplaces. ICSCs are prepared by various institutions including International Labor Organization (ILO) and World Health Organization (WHO).
An ICSC is not a legal document but it provides us important information on the hazards of chemicals together with first aid and fire-fighting measures, precautions for spillage, disposal, storage, packaging, transport and labeling as well.
Here is an example of the Nitric Acid ICSC:
| Nitric acid (70%) HNO3 Molecular mass: 63.0 ICSC #0183 |  
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| Boiling point: 121o Melting point: -41.6o Density: 1.4 Solubility in water: miscible | Vapour pressure, kPa at 20oC: 6.4 Vapour density: 2.2 Octanol/water partition coefficient as log Pow: -0.21 | ||||
| HAZARD | SYMPTOMS | PREVENTION | FIRST AID/ FIRE-FIGTING | ||
| Fire | Not combustible but enhances combustion of other substances. Gives off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases) in a fire. Heating will cause rise in pressure with risk of bursting. | NO contact with flammable substances. NO contact with combustibles or organic chemicals. | In case of fire in the surroundings: NO FOAM! | ||
| Explosion | Risk of fire and explosion on contact with many common organic compounds. | In case of fire: keep drums, etc., cool by spraying with water. | |||
| Exposure | Avoid all contacts! | IN ALL CASES CONSULT A DOCTOR! | |||
| Inhalation | Burning sensation. Cough. Laboured breathing. Shortness of breath. Sore throat. | Ventilation, local exhaust, or breathing protection. | Fresh air, rest. Half-upright position. Artificial respiration may be needed. Refer immediately for medical attention. | ||
| Skin | Serious skin burns. Pain. Yellow discolouration. | Protective gloves. Protective clothing. | Remove contaminated clothes. Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower. Refer for medical attention. | ||
| Eyes | Redness. Pain. Burns. | Face shield or eye protection in combination with breathing protection. | First rinse with plenty of water (remove contact lenses if easily possible). | ||
| Ingestion | Sore throat. Abdominal pain. Burning sensation in the throat and chest. Shock or collapse. Vomiting. | Do not eat, drink, or smoke during work. | Do NOT induce vomiting. Give one or two glasses of water to drink. Rest. | ||
| SPILLAGE DISPOSAL | STORAGE | PACKAGING & LABELING | |||
| Evacuate danger area! Consult an expert! Personal protection: complete protective clothing including self-contained breathing apparatus. Ventilation. Collect leaking liquid in sealable containers. Cautiously neutralize remainder with sodium carbonate. Then wash away with plenty of water. Do NOT absorb in saw-dust or other combustible absorbents. | Separated from combustible and reducing substances, bases, organics food and feedstuffs. Cool. Dry. Keep in a well-ventilated room. | Unbreakable packaging; put breakable packaging into closed unbreakable container. Do not transport with food and feedstuffs. Hazard Class: 8 Subsidiary Risks: 5.1 Packing Group: I Signal: Danger May be corrosive to metals Fatal if swallowed Causes severe skin burns and eye damage Causes damage to respiratory tract if inhaled Causes damage to digestive tract if swallowed Causes damage to respiratory tract and teeth through prolonged or repeated exposure if inhaled | |||
   
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