Exposure to chemicals commonly used in workplaces can lead to a variety of short- and long-term health effects such as poisoning, skin rashes and disorders of the lung, kidney and liver. A hazardous substance can take many forms, including gas, powder, liquid, solid or dust.
What is hazardous exposure?
Hazard refers to the inherent properties of a substance that make it capable of causing harm to human health or the environment. Exposure describes both the amount of, and the frequency with which, a chemical substance reaches a person, group of people or the environment.
What effects can hazardous substances have on your health?
What are the hazards? Some substances can cause asthma or other diseases, including cancer. Many can damage the skin, and some can cause serious long-term damage to the lungs. The effect can be immediate, such as dizziness or stinging eyes, or can take many years to develop, such as lung disease.
What are the effect of exposure to chemical hazards?
weakening of the immune system. development of allergies or asthma. reproductive problems and birth defects. effects on the mental, intellectual or physical development of children.
How can you prevent being exposed to toxic or harmful chemicals?
Use only the smallest amount necessary to do the job. Prevent the release of toxic vapours, dusts, mists or gases into the workplace air. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (if necessary) to avoid exposure (eye, respiratory or skin) or contact with contaminated equipment/surfaces.
How do you know if a product is hazardous?
Look for the words Danger, Warning, or Caution on the product label. “Danger” warnings are found on extremely hazardous products. “Warning” and “Caution” indicate less hazardous products. Products without warning labels are least hazardous.
What are the signs of chemical exposure?
What are the symptoms of a harmful chemical exposure? A small chemical exposure can cause tearing eyes and burning of the eyes, nose, throat, chest and skin. It may cause headache, sweating, blurred vision, stomach aches and diarrhea.
What happens if you are exposed to hazardous substances?
Exposure to such substances can cause bodily harm. Problems caused by hazardous substances can be short- or long-term, being the cause of dermatitis, asthma and cancer. For example, when bleach comes in contact with skin, it causes burn or inflammation, but little long- term effect.
What are some examples of people exposed to hazardous materials?
Examples of personnel exposed to hazardous material are: Cleaners – Commonly used cleaning materials contain biological agents which are known to cause burns and various skin complaints. Hairdressers – Hair dressing products also contain agents which can cause skin damage.
What can dermal exposure to hazardous agents result in?
Dermal exposure to hazardous agents can result in a variety of occupational diseases and disorders, including occupational skin diseases (OSD) and systemic toxicity. Historically, efforts to control workplace exposures to hazardous agents have focused on inhalation rather than skin exposures.
How are hazardous materials absorbed into the body?
For example, exposure through a cut may mean that some hazardous substances get absorbed into the blood stream more quickly, enabling symptoms to develop rapidly. Substances with acute toxicity need to reach a certain accumulated amount within the body before the onset of symptoms. This is referred to as the dose.
