Health Effects of Chemical Hazards

Whether they are a solid, liquid, or gas, hazardous chemicals present two basic types of hazards: physical hazards and health hazards. The physical effects of chemical hazards manifest as flammable, explosive, or reactive.

Health hazards can be categorized as acute effects or chronic effects.

Acute health effects are short-term effects that appear, change, or worsen rapidly. They are usually seen after exposures to high concentrations of hazardous substances. Acute health effects include headaches, dizziness, and skin irritation.

Chronic health effects usually develop and worsen over an extended period of time. For instance, cancer resulting from long term exposure to asbestos, diesel engine exhaust, and wood dust usually develops slowly over many years. Other examples of chronic health effects include liver damage and central nervous system disorders.

Health hazards can also be categorized by the area of contact, either local or systemic.

A local health effect refers to an adverse health effect that takes place at the point or area of contact. The site may be skin, mucous membranes, the respiratory tract, or the gastrointestinal system. Examples of local health effects are burns, skin and eye irritation, dermatitis, and tissue damage.

A systemic health effect refers to an adverse health effect that takes place at a location distant from the body's initial point of contact and can affect the entire body. For example, a chemical may be inhaled into the lungs or absorbed through the skin, but its adverse side-effects only affect the kidneys, liver, or other part of the body. Examples of systemic health effects include infections, nervous system failure, reproductive system damage, allergic reactions, and kidney damage.

To learn more about GHS visit our GHS Hazard Communication Online Training web page.