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Hazardous chemicals are substances that can pose significant risks to health, safety, and the environment. Various government agencies and expert organizations provide guidelines and classifications for these chemicals. Here’s a list of what is generally considered hazardous according to several major sources: (Please email us for a updated list of hazardous chemicals and removal pre & post guidelines)

General Categories of Hazardous Chemicals

1. Toxic Chemicals

   • Substances that can cause harm if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin.

   • Examples: Lead, mercury, benzene.

2. Corrosive Chemicals

   • Substances that can cause destruction or irreversible damage to living tissue or materials on contact.

   • Examples: Sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide.

3. Flammable Chemicals

   • Substances that can easily catch fire.

   • Examples: Gasoline, acetone, ethanol.

4. Reactive Chemicals

   • Substances that can undergo violent chemical reactions.

   • Examples: Sodium, potassium, perchloric acid.

5. Oxidizing Chemicals

   • Substances that can cause or contribute to the combustion of other materials.

   • Examples: Hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate.

6. Carcinogens

   • Substances that can cause cancer.

   • Examples: Asbestos, formaldehyde, arsenic.

7. Mutagens

   • Substances that can cause genetic mutations.

   • Examples: Ethidium bromide, xylene.

8. Teratogens

   • Substances that can cause developmental abnormalities in a fetus.

   • Examples: Thalidomide, toluene.

9. Asphyxiants

   • Substances that can cause suffocation by displacing oxygen in the environment.

   • Examples: Carbon dioxide, nitrogen gas.

10. Environmental Hazards

    • Substances that can cause significant harm to the environment.

    • Examples: Pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Specific Lists from Government Entities

United States

1. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

   • Hazardous Chemicals: OSHA provides a broad list of hazardous chemicals under its Hazard Communication Standard (HCS).

   • List: OSHA Hazardous Chemicals

2. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)

   • Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS): Includes chemicals that pose a significant risk to human health or the environment.

   • List: EPA EHS List

3. CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

   • NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Provides a compilation of information on hazardous chemicals.

   • Guide: NIOSH Pocket Guide

European Union

1. ECHA (European Chemicals Agency)

   • Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC): Chemicals that can have serious effects on human health or the environment.

   • List: ECHA SVHC List

2. REACH Regulation

   • Restricted Substances: Includes chemicals that are restricted due to their hazardous nature.

   • List: REACH Restricted Substances

International

1. GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals)

   • Hazard Classes: Provides a standardized approach to classifying and communicating chemical hazards.

   • Classification: GHS Hazard Classes

2. IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer)

   • Carcinogenic Chemicals: Classifies chemicals according to their carcinogenic risk.

   • List: IARC Monographs

Specific Chemicals Lists

• SARA Title III List of Lists: Includes chemicals subject to reporting requirements under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).

  • List: SARA Title III List

• RCRA Hazardous Waste: Identifies hazardous wastes under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

  • List: RCRA Hazardous Waste

Common Examples of Hazardous Chemicals

• Benzene: Toxic, flammable, carcinogenic.

• Ammonia: Toxic, corrosive.

• Chlorine: Toxic, oxidizing.

• Hydrogen Sulfide: Toxic, flammable.

• Nitric Acid: Corrosive, oxidizing.

• Acetone: Flammable, irritant.

• Phosphorus: Reactive, toxic.

• Cyanides: Highly toxic.

Safety and Handling

• Always refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for specific chemical information, handling, storage, and emergency measures.

• Follow appropriate regulations for labeling, storing, and disposing of hazardous chemicals.

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Categories and Examples of Hazardous Chemicals

1. Toxic Chemicals

• Acetaldehyde

• Arsenic and compounds

• Benzene

• Carbon Tetrachloride

• Chloroform

• Cyanide compounds

• Formaldehyde

• Lead and compounds

• Mercury and compounds

• Phosgene

• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

• Sodium Azide

• Toluene

• Vinyl Chloride

2. Corrosive Chemicals

• Acetic Acid

• Chromic Acid

• Hydrochloric Acid

• Hydrofluoric Acid

• Nitric Acid

• Phosphoric Acid

• Potassium Hydroxide

• Sodium Hydroxide

• Sulfuric Acid

3. Flammable Chemicals

• Acetone

• Ammonia (anhydrous)

• Benzene

• Butane

• Diethyl Ether

• Ethanol

• Ethyl Acetate

• Gasoline

• Heptane

• Hexane

• Methanol

• Petroleum Ether

• Toluene

4. Reactive Chemicals

• Alkali Metals (e.g., Sodium, Potassium)

• Calcium Carbide

• Chlorates

• Hydrides (e.g., Sodium Hydride)

• Hydrogen Peroxide (concentrated)

• Nitroglycerin

• Perchlorates

• Peroxides

• Picric Acid

• White Phosphorus

5. Oxidizing Chemicals

• Ammonium Nitrate

• Barium Peroxide

• Chlorine

• Chromium Trioxide

• Hydrogen Peroxide

• Nitric Acid

• Potassium Dichromate

• Potassium Permanganate

• Sodium Hypochlorite

6. Carcinogens

• Aflatoxins

• Arsenic and inorganic arsenic compounds

• Asbestos

• Benzene

• Cadmium and compounds

• Chromium (VI) compounds

• Coal tar pitches

• Formaldehyde

• Nickel compounds

• Silica (crystalline)

• Vinyl Chloride

7. Mutagens

• Benzidine

• Ethidium Bromide

• Acrylamide

• Vinyl Chloride

• Ethylene Oxide

8. Teratogens

• Carbon Monoxide

• Diethylstilbestrol (DES)

• Ethanol (excessive exposure)

• Lead compounds

• Thalidomide

• Toluene

9. Asphyxiants

• Carbon Dioxide

• Methane

• Nitrogen

• Propane

10. Environmental Hazards

• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

• DDT

• Dioxins

• Heavy metals (e.g., Cadmium, Lead, Mercury)

• Pesticides

• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Regulatory Lists and Sources

United States

1. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

   • Hazardous Chemicals: Comprehensive list under the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS).

   • Resource: OSHA Hazardous Chemicals

2. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)

   • Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Inventory: Lists over 85,000 chemicals.

   • Resource: TSCA Inventory

   • Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)

     • Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS): Chemicals that can cause serious health or environmental effects.

     • Resource: EPA EHS List

3. NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)

   • NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards: Provides information on industrial hygiene and occupational exposure limits.

   • Resource: NIOSH Pocket Guide

4. CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act)

   • Hazardous Substances: Identifies hazardous substances that pose a threat when released into the environment.

   • Resource: CERCLA List

5. RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act)

   • Hazardous Wastes: Identifies and regulates hazardous waste.

   • Resource: RCRA Hazardous Waste

European Union

1. REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals)

   • Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC): Chemicals that may have serious effects on human health or the environment.

   • Resource: ECHA SVHC List

   • Restricted Substances: Chemicals with use restrictions under REACH.

   • Resource: REACH Restricted Substances

2. CLP Regulation (Classification, Labelling and Packaging of substances and mixtures)

   • Hazardous Chemicals: Classifies and provides hazard communication for chemicals.

   • Resource: CLP Regulation

International

1. GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals)

   • Hazard Classes: Standardizes the classification and labelling of hazardous chemicals.

   • Resource: GHS Hazard Classes

2. IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer)

   • Carcinogenic Chemicals: Lists chemicals by their carcinogenic potential.

   • Resource: IARC Monographs

3. OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)

   • Screening Information Data Set (SIDS): Provides data on high production volume chemicals.

   • Resource: OECD SIDS

4. Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)

   • Persistent Organic Pollutants: Lists chemicals that persist in the environment and pose significant risks.

   • Resource: Stockholm Convention

Specific Chemicals on Regulatory Lists

• Acetone: OSHA, EPA

• Ammonia: OSHA, EPA

• Arsenic: OSHA, EPA, IARC

• Benzene: OSHA, EPA, IARC

• Cadmium: OSHA, EPA, IARC

• Chloroform: OSHA, EPA

• Cyanide compounds: OSHA, EPA

• Formaldehyde: OSHA, EPA, IARC

• Hydrogen Peroxide: OSHA, EPA

• Lead: OSHA, EPA, IARC

• Mercury: OSHA, EPA

• Nickel compounds: OSHA, EPA, IARC

• Phosgene: OSHA, EPA

• Sulfuric Acid: OSHA, EPA

• Toluene: OSHA, EPA

Safety Measures and References

• Safety Data Sheets (SDS): Crucial for information on handling, storage, and emergency measures.

• OSHA Hazard Communication Standard: Guidelines for workplace chemical hazard communication.

• Globally Harmonized System (GHS): Standardized labeling and classification of chemicals.

Additional References

• NIOSH International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSC): Concise information on chemical hazards.

• ChemIDplus: Database of chemical information.

• PubChem: Open chemistry database with information on chemicals and their properties.