How are toxic materials hazardous to my health? Toxic materials can cause serious health effects in an exposed individual. The degree of hazard associated with any toxic material is related to the exact material you are exposed to, concentration of the material, the route into the body and the amount absorbed by the body (the dose). Individual susceptibility of the user also plays a role. The health effects may occur immediately or the effects may be delayed. Health effects that occur immediately after a single exposure are called acute effects. In other cases, health effects will not occur until some point after the exposure. This is called a chronic effect. A chronic effect may occur hours, days, months or even years after exposure. Generally, acute effects are caused by a single, relatively high exposure. Chronic effects tend to occur over a longer period of time and involve lower exposures (e.g., exposure to a smaller amount over time). Some toxic materials can have both acute and chronic health effects. It is important to remember that toxic materials can have other hazards associated with it. For example, a toxic material may also be corrosive and flammable. Always read the Material Safety Data Sheet and labels to be sure you understand what is in the product and how to work with it safely. If you do not understand the instructions, or if you are not sure, check with your supervisor.
Posted on: Sun, 08 Sep 2013 10:27:15 +0000
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