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CHEMICAL HAZARDS

1. State the effects on the body of the following types of hazardous substances giving a
relevant EXAMPLE of each.

IRRITANT
CORROSIVE
TOXIC
CARCINOGEN

IRRITANT: is a substance that causes an inflammation of skin, eyes or respiratory


tract.

Examples: Organic solvents, Detergents & Cement Dust

CORROSIVE: is a substance that reacts with body proteins and has a penetrating
and burning effects on the parts of the body with which they come into contact skin,
eyes, gastrointestinal tract

Examples: phenol, ammonia, sulphuric acid, caustic soda, etc.

TOXIC: is a substance that has an adverse (poisonous) effect on a target organ or


body system. The substance causes their adverse effects were taken in relatively
small dose. The effect is either acute or chronic.

Example: lead, mercury, arsenic, etc)

CARCINOGEN: are substances capable, often after long periods of exposure,


causing disorders to cell growth and may lead to cancer.

Examples: Asbestos, vinyl chloride, chromium, etc

2. In relation to substances used at work:

Explain the meaning of the term TOXIC


Describe using an example in EACH case, the difference between ACUTE d
CHRONIC health effects.

TOXIC: is a substance that has an adverse (poisonous) effect on a target organ or


body system. The substance causes its adverse effect when taken in a relatively
small dose. The effect is either ACUTE or CHRONIC.

ACUTE HEALTH EFFECT: an adverse effect resulting from a single or short-term


exposure and producing an immediate or rapid effect.

Example: Corrosive action, narcosis and primary irritation.


CHRONIC HEALTH EFFECT: is an adverse health effect resulting from prolonged or
repeated exposures with a gradual or latent and often irreversible effect that may
often go unrecognized for a number of years.

Example; Cancer, Sensitization Dermatitis & damage to body organs.

CATEGORIES OF DANGER

Category of Danger Symbol Indication of Danger Symbol


Letter

Physico-Chemical Explosive E Explosive


Properties Oxidizing O Oxidizing
Extremely Flammable F+ Extremely Flammable
Highly Flammable F Highly Flammable
Flammable - -

Health Categories Very Toxic T+ Very toxic


Toxic T Toxic
Harmful Xn Harmful
Corrosive C Corrosive
Irritant Xi Irritant
Carcinogenic
Category 1 and 2 T Toxic
Category 3 Xn Harmful
Mutagenic
Category 1 T Toxic
Category 2 and 3 Xn Harmful
Terratogenic
Category 1 T Toxic
Category 2 Xn Harmful

Environmental Dangerous for the Dangerous for the


Categories Environment N Environment

3. SEE DRAWINGS / SKETCHES

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