When sourcing chemicals, there are ethical standards concerning the sourcing of chemicals. Depending on the nature, and type of chemicals that may be required for use, at any particular time, acceptable standards must be in place and adopted when sourcing the chemicals. Below are some generally accepted practices that must serve as a guide when sourcing chemicals:
1. It should be sourced from government-approved vendors (Licensed chemical vendors)
2. It should be well packaged.
3. It should be handled according to the approved prescription.
4. It should not be allowed to contaminate any water bodies, so as to check the destruction of animals in the water.
5. The authority should set up a law enforcement agency, like National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to inspect those factories producing drugs.
6. All chemicals not registered by NAFDAC cannot be sold in Nigeria.
Licensed Chemical Vendors:
Chemicals are substances that are sold only by specialists. In every state, there are licensed chemical vendors, that are authorised by the government to import, buy and sell chemicals, according to prescribed ethics, regulations and standards.
Caution, therefore, must be taken, because chemicals, not gotten from licensed chemical vendors, are likely not to be genuine, substandard, and in the wrong proportion.
A list of licensed vendors can be obtained, from the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
Good Techniques of Handling Chemicals:
The need to handle chemicals with care and caution cannot be underestimated, or over-emphasised, because of the danger they pose.
The following ethics guide the handling of chemicals;
1. Safety instructions and warnings must therefore be written in the manual, accompanying the chemicals, in order to avoid any hazardous situation.
2. Chemicals must not be broken or damaged, and must be sealed tightly.
3. Anyone handling chemicals must have the training and education to do so.
4. Shipment of chemicals must be dated, when recovered and when opened.
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