Something toxic can cause serious illness, debilitation or even death. When used in a medical context, it takes on the meaning of exhibiting symptoms of infection or poison. For example: The patient was toxic from the infection. For example: Some trees are toxic because their leaves contain a powerful toxin.
It can be used as an adjective to mean extremely harsh, malicious, harmful or hurtful. For example: The toxic words were sarcastic and mean. It can mean dangerous in the sense of being toxic. For example: The hazardous material was toxic. While something that is hazardous might cause serious harm or even death, it could just be something that involves risk of loss or harm. For example: Working in a coal mine is a hazardous occupation.
In this sense, it takes on the meaning of a chance of being unhealthy or unsafe. Toxic materials may enter the body in different ways. These ways are called the route of exposure. The most common route of exposure is through inhalation breathing it into the lungs.
Another common route of entry is through skin contact. Some materials can easily pass through unprotected skin and enter the body. Ingestion is another, less common, route of exposure in the workplace. Ingestion often occurs accidentally through poor hygiene practices e. Toxic materials are often used in the workplace.
The table below lists some common workplace materials that meet one or more of the criteria to be considered "toxic" as well as some of potential heath effects associated with that chemical. Keep in mind that toxic materials can also be found in consumer products that come into the home - always read the warning labels and safe use instructions before using any products. To prevent health effects from exposure to toxic materials, it is important to understand the potential hazards and how to protect yourself.
This document discusses the hazards of toxic materials and how they are identified. For definitions of some of the terms used in this document, please see the MSDS -- Glossary document. 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. 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. Employers must provide appropriate respiratory protection at no cost to workers, provide appropriate training and education regarding its use, and ensure that workers use it properly.
See 29 CFR First, explore this Safety and Health Topic webpage that includes links to much of the related information available from OSHA, in addition, near the top of this page is a list of other Safety and Health Topic pages which address specific chemicals.
Other sections contain information or links on subjects such as laboratory safety, and Hazard Communication or Process Safety. Information available on the pages includes chemical identification and physical properties, exposure limits, sampling information, and additional resources. Chemical hazards and toxic substances are addressed in specific OSHA standards for general industry, maritime, and construction.
More ». Provides references that aid in recognizing hazards associated with chemical hazards and toxic substances. Provides information that may aid in controlling workplace hazards associated with chemical hazards and toxic substances. Provides links and references to additional resources related to chemical hazards and toxic substances.
Chemical Hazards and Toxic Substances. American workers use tens of thousands of chemicals every day.
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