The ABCs of Chemical Exposure

When working with hazardous chemicals is part of your job, it is important for you to know the risks you face with each chemical you use. This guide will outline the kinds of injuries that chemicals can cause, types of chemical exposures and their effects, and factors that influence the severity of exposure. entry-skin, mouth, lungs, eyesaredangerous forthe chemical you use, and always use protective equipment to prevent those kinds of exposures.

Kinds of Reactions If you are exposed to a hazardous chemical, you can expect one of two kinds of reactions: local or systemic reactions. Local reactions Exposure-How Much, occur at the place where the expoHow Often and How Long? sure occurred-for example, skin, Chemicals greatly vary in their toxiceyes or lungs-and may range from ity, but three factorsthe amount, the minor irritation to severe tissue frequency and the duration of expodamage. Breathing dangerous s u r e m u s t always be considered. chemical vapors may injure lungs Acutelytoxic chemicalscaninjjreafter a single exposure, while other chemiand respiratory passages, while swallowing such chemicals can cals cause harm after repeated expodamage your mouth, esophagus, sures. Being aware of which chemicals stomach and intestines. Although are toxic only when exposure is Chemicals enter blood through the most local reactions are immedirepeated or prolonged can help ate, some, such as allergic rashes, you protect yourself from this skin, eyes, mouth or, most frequently, occur only after repeated exposure dangerous group of substances the lungs, and may-vary from one peison to that injure without obvious or another. immediate symptoms. When chemicals enter the blood through the skin, eyes, mouth or, most frequently,the lungs, certain organs Physical Characteristics (called target organs) or your entire body can be Determine Exposure Level Extremely volatile chemicals evaporate readily and thus damaged; this is a systemic reaction. Systemic reactions contaminate the air you breathe more easily than other can be immediate but often are delayed: You dont know chemicals do. If flammable they are an extreme fire or they are happening until they have done severe damage. explosion hazard as well. Corrosive or highly reactive chemicals are acutely toxic and will injure skin, respira- Do Your Homework tory passages or eyes immediately on contact. Consult To protect yourself from unexpected injury from a hazyour MSDS for information on the physical characteris- ardous chemical, refer to the MSDS for that chemical. It will list the signs and symptoms of chemical toxicity for tics of chemicals you use. both local and systemic reactions as well as the target organs and primary routes of entry. Always use personal Routes of Entry How a chemical gets into your body influences its toxic- protective equipment and follow safety guidelines apity. Your skin protects against some chemicals that are propriate for the chemical. And avoid relying on your toxiconlyifyou inhale them, whileothersaredeadlyonly memory or tips from co-workers: Review the MSDS if swallowed. Still other chemicals can be handled safely whenever you have the slightest doubt about the hazards but will injure eyes on contact. Know which routes of of any chemical.
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