ABSTRACT
Chemical substances have become an indispensable part of our life, sustaining many of our activities, preventing and controlling many diseases, and increasing agricultural productivity. The benets are incalculable, but on the other hand, chemicals may endanger our health and poison our environment. The net consumption of chemicals varies among countries, depending on factors such as national economy, industries, and agriculture. New chemicals are synthesised every year and evaluated for their potential advantages over their predecessors and their commercial viabilty. There are about 100,000 chemical substances in present commercial use, and about 2,000 new ones enter the market annually. The chemical scene is in constant ux as old substances are superseded by new ones, and as their effectiveness and demand determine quantities produced. Wherever and whenever chemicals are in use, safety is an issue. In the event of an accident, the correct information needs to be available on the spot. A chemical inventory system should provide details about exactly what chemicals are in stock and where they are. Safety information about those chemicals should be readily available, whether as a material safety data sheet (MSDS) or as customised handling instructions.
