The downstream user of chemical substances or their mixtures is obliged to use them in a safe manner. The basic document containing information on hazards posed by chemical products and information necessary for the safe use of chemicals, their storage and recommended ways of handling waste is the safety data sheet, provided with the chemical substance or mixture down the supply chain. Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/878 introduced changes both in relation to the formal requirements that the safety data sheet has to meet and a number of substantive changes regarding the content of individual sections and subsections of the safety data sheet. From  January 1^st, 2023, all safety data sheets have to be prepared or updated in accordance with the new requirements. The article is addressed to both persons involved in the preparation of safety data sheets, and persons managing data sheets obtained from suppliers of substances and mixtures used in the workplace. The aim is to indicate the most important changes introduced in the safety data sheets, as well as to enable recipients of chemicals to assess whether the safety data sheet provided by the supplier has already been adapted to the new regulations.

1,2-Dihydroxybenzene (pyrocatechol) is a phenol derivative, which at room temperature occurs in the form of a white crystalline solid, darkening under the influence of light and air. 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene is a polyphenol naturally found in many plants. At present, it is used as an antioxidant in the production of rubber and lubricating oils, a polymerization inhibitor, as well as in the chemical, dyeing and petroleum industries, or in photography as a developer. In case of occupational exposure, contact with 1,2-dihydroxybenzene may occur during production, packaging or use of final products through respiratory and dermal contact. The systemic effect of 1,2-dihydroxybenzene is similar to that of phenol, and so it causes irritation of the eyes, skin, respiratory system, lacrimation, convulsions, increased blood pressure. Direct contact may cause sensitization and inflammation of the skin. 1,2-Dihydroxybenzene is readily absorbed from the digestive tract as well as through intact skin and respiratory tract. The substance in the body is partially oxidized to benzoquinone, which is easily bound to proteins, and part is conjugated with glucuronic, sulfuric and other acids. After inhalation exposure, 1,2-dihydroxybenzene does not accumulate in the body, but is quickly excreted in the urine in the form of derivatives such as: 1,2-dihydroxybenzene glucuronide, 1,2-dihydroxybenzene sulfate and methoxyphenyl sulfate. For the critical effect of the action 1,2-dihydroxybenzene can be considered systemic, manifested by hypertrophy of the submucosa of the glandular stomach of the rat, as well as a significant increase in the level of gastrin in the blood. Based on such assumptions, the calculated MAC value is 10 mg/m³, and due to the irritating effect on the skin and eyes, the MAC-STEL value was set at 20 mg/m³. Due to its carcinogenic effect and absorption through the skin, it was proposed to label the compound as "Carc. 1B” and “skin”. This article discusses the problems of occupational safety and health, which are covered by health sciences and environmental engineering.

N-Nitrosodipropylamine (NDPA) is a pale yellow, clear liquid that is sensitive to light. It is a chemical produced in small quantities for research purposes. Small amounts of N-nitrosodipropylamine are arised as a by-product during production processes (herbicides, some rubber products). In Poland, the number of people exposed to NDPA in 2019 was 149 and in 2020. 183 people, among whom women predominated. N-Nitrosodipropylamine is a substance on the ACSH (The Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work) priority list. It is classified as a substance of low to moderate acute toxicity. Information on the toxicity of this compound comes mainly from the results of a small number of laboratory animal studies. Epidemiological studies are lacking. A few studies on oral exposure have reported changes in body weight gain, liver damage and neoplastic changes. Genotoxic effects of NDPA have been observed in both in vitro and in vivo studies. NDPA is classified as a category 1B carcinogen, meaning that it has potential carcinogenic effects in humans, with classification based on animal studies. EPA and IARC have classified the compound as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). It is proposed to adopt for N-nitrosodipropylamine a concentration of 0.045 mg/m³ as the NDS value and to label "Carc. 1B". There is no basis for setting an instantaneous value for the NDSCh and the DSB limit in biological material.

Post reaction mixture of 5-chloro-2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one and 2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one (3: 1) named as CIT/MIT in room temperature is a light yellow crystalline solid. CIT/MIT is highly soluble in water (>3 kg/l) and slightly soluble in such organic solvents, as methanol, ethyl acetate or toluene. CIT/MIT is used as biocide in consumer products like cosmetics, cleaning fluids or paints. CIT/MIT may cause side effects such as skin or eye irritation. It may also cause skin sensitization especially in concentrations higher than 0.0015%. The aim of the work was to develop and validate a method of determination of CIT/MIT in workplace air. The method is based on collection of the vapors or aerosol of these substances in water filed impingers, and analysis of the resulted solution by means of HPLC-UV-VIS technique. The developed method is linear in the concentration range of 0.2–4 μg/ml, which corresponds to the range of 0.02–0.4 mg/m³ for a 100-L air sample. The analytical method described in this paper enables determination of CIT/MIT mixture in air at workplaces in the presence of other isothiazolones. The method is precise, accurate and it meets the criteria for procedure for determination of chemical agents listed in Standard No. PN-EN 482. Developed method of determination of CIT/MIT at workplaces has been recorded as an analytical procedure (see Appendix). This article discusses the problems of occupational safety and health, which are covered by health sciences and environmental engineering.

Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, also known as DEHP, is a reproductive toxicant of hazard category 1B included in the list of substances identified as endocrine disruptors. The aim of the research work was to develop an updated method for the determination of DEHP that will enable its concentrations to be determined at 0.08 mg/m³. The method involves trapping the aerosol of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate contained in the air onto a sampler – a glass tube with XAD-2 sorbent and a glass fiber filter, extraction with an acetone/dichloromethane mixture and chromatographic analysis of the resulting solution. The study was performed with the use of gas chromatography with a mass spectrometer (RTX-5Sil MS column). Validation of the method was carried out in accordance with the requirements of the European standard PN-EN 482. The updated method allows the determination of the compound in the air of the working environment in the concentration range from 0.08 mg/m³ to 1.6 mg/m³. The method for the determination of DEHP is presented in the form of an analytical procedure, which is included in Appendix. This article discusses the problems of occupational safety and health, which are covered by health sciences and environmental engineering.

Nitrilotriacetic acid and its mono-, di- and trisodium salts at room temperature, are white crystalline odorless solids. NTA is poorly (in opposite to its sodium salts) soluble in water. It is soluble with ethanol, however insoluble in most of organic solvents. NTA is used as an anti-limescale agent, as a chelating agent in fabric dyeing and agent preventing of decomposition of peroxides and hydrosulphides in paper processing. It is also used as a component of some detergents and cleaning fluids. NTA and its sodium salts are suspected to be carcinogenic to humans. The aim of the work was to develop and validate method of determination of NTA and its salts in workplace air. The developed method is based on an arrest of dusts or aerosols of these substances on glass fiber filters, extraction of the filters with a 0.2 M NaOH and analysis of the resulted solution by means of HPLC-UV-VIS technique. The developed method is linear in the concentration range of 0.0135–0.54 μg/ml, which corresponds to the range of 0.15–6.0 mg/m³ for a 180-L air sample. The analytical method described in this paper enables determination of NTA and its salts in air at workplaces in the presence of other chelating agents. The method is precise, accurate and it meets the criteria for procedure for determination of chemical agents listed in Standard No. PN-EN 482. Developed method of determination of NTA at workplaces has been recorded as an analytical procedure (see Appendix). This article discusses the problems of occupational safety and health, which are covered by health sciences and environmental engineering.