The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

The OSHA Laboratory Standard defines a hazardous chemical as any element, chemical compound, or mixture of elements and/or compounds which is a physical hazard or a health hazard. The standard applies to all hazardous chemicals regardless of the quantity.

1. Health Hazard 

OSHA defines a health hazard as a chemical for which there is statistically significant evidence based on at least one study conducted in accordance with established scientific principles that acute or chronic health effects may occur in exposed employees. Chemicals covered by this definition include carcinogens, toxic or highly toxic agents, reproductive toxins, irritants, corrosives, sensitizers, hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, agents that act on the hematopoietic system, and agents that damage the lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes. 

2. Physical Hazard 

OSHA defines a physical hazard as a chemical for which there is scientifically valid evidence that it is a combustible liquid, a compressed gas, explosive, flammable, an organic peroxide, an oxidizer, pyrophoric, unstable (reactive), or water-reactive. 

3. Additional Hazardous Chemicals 

The broad definition OSHA uses to define hazardous chemicals includes not only generic chemicals but also paints, cleaning compounds, inks, dyes, and many other common substances. Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to determine if the chemicals they produce or repackage meet the definition of a hazardous chemical. A chemical mixture may be considered as a whole or by its ingredients to determine its hazards. It may be considered as a whole if it has been tested as a whole and an MSDS has been issued accordingly. Otherwise the mixture must be evaluated by its components. If the mixture contains 1.0 % or more of a hazardous chemical or 0.1% of an ingredient listed as a carcinogen or suspected carcinogen, the whole mixture is assumed to have the same health and/or carcinogenic hazards as its components. 

A chemical is considered hazardous if it is listed in any of the following:

• OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-l through Z-3
• Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents in the Work Environment ACGIH (latest edition) - American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
• The Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health - latest edition)

Manufacturers are required to determine the hazardous properties of the materials they produce. This information is conveyed through Material Safety Data Sheets and Labels.

In any case, in commercial climbing holds manufacturing, too much  hazard chemicals are involved. Climbing holds made of polyester, epoxy or polyurethane, on the way from resin material to solid holds are dealing with at least two of chemicals listed below:

Styrene

(Carcinogenic, mutagen, harmful-skin and eye irritation, flammable, forms explosive mixtures in air)

Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide

(Harmful, highly flammable, extremely destructive to tissue, may explode when heated)

Epichlorohydrine

(Carcinogenic, mutagen, highly flammable, toxic by inhalation, skin and eyes irritant, extremely destructive to tissue, forms explosive mixtures in air)

Bisphenol-A

(Teratogen-effect on embryo or fetus, reproductive hazard, mutagen, eye and skin irritant, dust and fumes may be a fire and explosion hazard)

Toluene diisocyanate-TDI

(Very toxic by inhalation, carcinogenic, irritating to eyes and skin)

Hexamethylene diisocyanate-HMDI

(Toxic by inhalation, carcinogenic, irritating to eyes and skin)

Toluene

Methylenebis (Phenylisocyanate)-MDI 

 

 After all, holds are usually  painted by pigments containing a various of toxic heavy metals.  

 

GREENGRIP is trying to find a new, no harmful, or less harmful materials with a good properties for climbing holds manufacturing. We believe that climbing holds can be made in much more safety and environmentally friendly way.