Pictogram 7: Health Hazard - Target Organ Toxicity

Pictogram 7, the Health Hazard pictogram, identifies chemicals that cause target organ toxicity. A target organ is the organ upon which a hormone or chemical acts. OSHA refers to a target organ as one that may be affected when exposed to hazardous chemicals.

Some target organ effects listed by OSHA in its "Guidance for Hazard Determination for Compliance with the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1919.1200)" include the following:

• Hepatotoxins (which affect the liver)
• Nephrotoxins (which affect the kidneys)
• Neurotoxins (which affect the brain)
• Blood/hematopoietic toxins (which affect the blood and bone marrow)
• Respiratory toxins (which affect the lungs)
• Reproductive toxins (which affect the reproductive organs)
• Cutaneous hazards (which affect the skin)
• Eye hazards

This list is not inclusive. OSHA notes that "the HCS does not identify all possible target organ effects due to exposure to toxic agents. Certain chemicals may target one or more specific organs not listed in the HCS. Based on the chemistry of the toxin and how it is metabolized and distributed in the body, virtually any organ or organ system may potentially be at risk. Therefore, data found in the literature search pertaining to other organs must also be evaluated and documented."

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