For information and reference only – not to be submitted as your own work. This is a model-answer extract showing structure, depth and referencing. Your own assigned chemical and scenario will differ, and the work you submit must be your own.
This is an extract of a model answer to Project 2 (Chemical Risk Assessment) in the BC5802 Chemical Safety and Toxicology assignment at University College Cork, using the pregnant employee scenario. The chemical used here is 2-iodopropane, the same example used in our toxicological review sample. Read the full explanation of the method before you plan your own work.
1. Introduction and workplace scenario
2-Iodopropane (isopropyl iodide, CAS 75-30-9) is a volatile, flammable alkyl iodide used as an alkylating reagent in organic synthesis. This assessment concerns a laboratory where colleagues handle it at lab-scale quantities inside ventilated booths for about four hours each day.
A pregnant employee works in the same laboratory but does not handle the material. Her concern is whether background exposure could harm the pregnancy. The assessment is qualitative, in line with the brief, and uses the High, Medium and Low scale, supported by professional judgement.
2. Main hazards
- Flammable liquid (H226); boiling point 88 to 90 °C, so vapour is generated readily at room temperature (Sigma-Aldrich, n.d.).
- Harmful if swallowed (H302).
- Skin irritant (H315) and serious eye irritant (H319).
- Possible carcinogenicity: an older supplier MSDS states that the substance “may cause cancer (tumorigenic) based on animal data”, while listing mutagenicity and developmental toxicity as “not available” (Spectrum Chemical, 2006). The absence of data is not evidence of safety.
- Reactivity: as an alkylating agent it can react with biological nucleophiles, which is the mechanistic basis for concern about DNA damage (Klaassen, 2018).
3. Exposure limits, routes of exposure and controls
No occupational exposure limit value appeared on the supplier MSDS reviewed (Spectrum Chemical, 2006), and none was identified in the sources used for this extract. Where no limit exists, the Chemical Agents Regulations 2001 still require the employer to assess and minimise exposure (S.I. No. 619 of 2001), and the HSA Code of Practice sets out how to do so (HSA, 2026).
| Route | Relevance in this scenario | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Inhalation | Primary route | High vapour pressure (5.7 kPa at 20 °C on the older MSDS); background vapour if booth capture fails |
| Skin | Secondary | Irritant; contamination from gloves, benches and door handles |
| Eyes | Low for the bystander | Splash risk applies to handlers |
| Ingestion | Low | Only through poor hygiene (hand to mouth) |
Existing controls are the ventilated booths (local exhaust ventilation), restriction of handling to colleagues, and general laboratory PPE.
4. Risk assessment
The employee is a bystander, so her exposure depends on whether booth capture is effective and on how vapour or spills reach the open laboratory. Duration is long (four hours daily, every day), which raises the chance of low-level cumulative exposure even if peak exposure is small.
Pregnancy matters for three reasons. The fetus is more sensitive to DNA-damaging agents than an adult. The data on reproductive effects for this substance are missing. And the HSA guidance requires the employer to assess risks from agents that are carcinogens, mutagens or reproductive toxins, including the nature, degree and duration of exposure (HSA, 2016; S.I. No. 299 of 2007, Part 6 Chapter 2).
| Risk element | Likelihood | Severity | Rating | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire or explosion | Low | High | Medium | Flammable; ignition sources controlled in booths |
| Inhalation by bystander, normal operation | Low | Medium (unknown reproductive effects) | Medium | Booths reduce but do not eliminate escape of vapour |
| Spill or booth failure | Medium | High | High | Volatile liquid, four-hour daily use, bystander downstream |
| Skin contact via surfaces | Low | Low | Low | Irritant only; good housekeeping |
Overall rating: Medium, rising to High in the event of a spill or booth failure. Because the reproductive data are inadequate, a precautionary approach is justified.
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Hierarchy of controls applied
| Level | Action in this scenario |
|---|---|
| Elimination | Remove the pregnant employee from the laboratory area where the chemical is used, if the risk cannot be removed otherwise |
| Substitution | Consider a less volatile or less hazardous alkylating reagent for the process |
| Engineering | Verify booth face velocity, keep sashes low, check extraction alarms, use closed transfer |
| Administrative | Limit duration, schedule handling when the employee is absent, spill procedure, inform her of the assessment results |
| PPE | Gloves and eye protection for handlers; last line of defence, not a substitute for the above |
| Health surveillance | Occupational health referral; employee to notify the employer of her pregnancy with a medical certificate |
Under the HSA guidance, if a risk is found the employer must first adjust working conditions or hours, then provide suitable alternative work, and if neither is possible, assist with health and safety leave under the Maternity Protection Act 1994 (HSA, 2016).
Implications for employee and employer
For the employee, the key action is to notify the employer as soon as practicable and provide a certificate. For the employer, the duties are to assess, apply the control steps in order, and inform her of the results (HSA, 2016; Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005). For carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic concerns the 2024 regulations also apply (S.I. No. 122 of 2024).
5. Toxicological risk assessment summary
2-Iodopropane is a flammable, irritant, harmful alkylating liquid with incomplete reproductive and mutagenicity data. Under normal operation with effective booths, exposure of a non-handling bystander is expected to be low, giving a Medium risk. The long daily duration and the lack of a limit value prevent a Low rating.
Conclusion: conditions are acceptable for the handlers with the controls described, but they are not demonstrably safe for the pregnant employee. Until booth performance is verified and the risk reassessed, she should be moved to work away from the area, in line with the HSA sequence of steps.
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About the expert
Harry Nolan holds a master’s in Chemistry from University College Cork and has 10 years in his field. His profile lists kinetics, biochemistry, and organic, inorganic and theoretical chemistry among his specialisms.
References
- Health and Safety Authority (2016) Chapter 2 of Part 6: Protection of Pregnant, Post Natal and Breastfeeding Employees, Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007. Dublin: HSA. Available at: https://www.hsa.ie/eng/publications_and_forms/publications/retail/gen_apps_pregnant_post_natal.pdf (Accessed: 20 October 2026).
- Health and Safety Authority (2026) 2026 Code of Practice for the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Chemical Agents) Regulations (2001 to 2026) and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances) Regulations (2024 and 2026). Dublin: HSA. Available at: https://hsa.ie/your_industry/construction/silica-dust/chemical-agents-code-of-practice-2026/ (Accessed: 20 October 2026).
- Ireland (2001) Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Chemical Agents) Regulations 2001, S.I. No. 619 of 2001. Available at: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2001/en/si/0619.html (Accessed: 20 October 2026).
- Ireland (2005) Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. Dublin: Stationery Office.
- Ireland (2007) Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, S.I. No. 299 of 2007. Available at: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie (Accessed: 20 October 2026).
- Ireland (2024) Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances) Regulations 2024, S.I. No. 122 of 2024. Available at: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2024/en/si/0122.html (Accessed: 20 October 2026).
- Klaassen, C.D. (ed.) (2018) Casarett and Doull’s toxicology: the basic science of poisons. 9th edn. New York: McGraw-Hill Education.
- Sigma-Aldrich (n.d.) 2-Iodopropane, contains copper as stabilizer, 99% (product 148938). Available at: https://b2b.sigmaaldrich.com/FI/en/product/aldrich/148938 (Accessed: 20 October 2026).
- Spectrum Chemical (2006) Material safety data sheet: 2-Iodopropane. Available at: https://www.spectrumchemical.com/media/sds/3480I.PDF (Accessed: 20 October 2026).
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