Health Hazards
The term toxicity is used to describe the ability of a substance to cause a harmful effect. EVERYTHING is toxic at some dose. Even water! If someone drinks too much water at any one time, it can cause death.

There is a balance between toxicity and dose. Dose is the AMOUNT of something you are exposed to, or come in contact with. The less the toxicity, the greater the dose you can tolerate without ill effects. The greater the toxicity, the less dose you can tolerate without becoming sick.

Hazard Potential
Hazard Potential is the likelihood that a specific chemical or substance (toxic material) will cause an ill effect at a given dose.

For example, acetone is a highly toxic chemical. But you could work safely with it, if you were outside or in a well ventilated room where your dose would be very low. As the chart above shows, your hazard potential for working with acetone in a well ventilated room would be low.

Hazard potential is the most accurate way to rate how dangerous a substance is when used under a given set of circumstances. Neither the toxicity or the dose rating alone provides you with enough information on how to use a hazardous material safely. Your real concern must always be with a hazardous material's hazard potential.

 

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Question 2.....

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Question 3.....Acute vs. Chronic
The effects of health hazards are classified as either:
ACUTE or CHRONIC

Acute Health Hazards are those whose effects occur immediately or soon after you come in contact with them.

For example, you accidentally spill a strong acid on your hand. The acid will begin to burn your hand immediately. Or, you begin to work with a paint solvent in a closed area, and the fumes make you feel dizzy.

Chronic Health Hazards, on the other hand, are those whose effects take years or decades to occur after many exposures.

An example of a chronic health hazard would be benzene. The dangerous effects for people who have been overexposed to benzene take years to appear and have been linked to a number of fatal blood diseases

 

 

Answer.....True
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Question 4.... It is important to remember that hazardous materials present a health hazard only when they come into contact with the body. Chemicals can enter the body in three ways:

1. Inhalation
2. Skin absorption
3. Ingestion

Inhalation is the most common route of exposure for most health hazards. This includes breathing in dust, fumes, oil mist, and vapors from solvents and various gases.

Some chemicals are absorbed into the body through skin contact. If a chemical is readily absorbed into the skin, then the notation "skin" will appear along with the occupational exposure limits on the MSDS. Corrosive chemicals can cause burns and tissue destruction. Extra care must be taken to prevent skin and eye contact with these chemicals. This is why wearing aprons, gloves, eye protection, and other protective clothing is important when working with some chemicals.

It is possible to accidentally eat chemicals that are health hazards. To insure that you do not accidentally eat any of the chemicals you work with:
1. Never eat foods in areas where chemicals are used.
2. Never smoke in areas were chemicals are used.
3. Wash your hands and face with soap and water after working with chemicals before you eat, drink, or smoke.

 

Answer....True
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Question 5....Any chemical that may be harmful to your health is called a health hazard. The following is a brief description of the major types of health hazards.

Corrosives - cause tissue damage and burns on contact with the skin and eyes.

Primary Irritants - cause intense redness or swelling of the skin or eyes on contact, but with no permanent tissue damage.

Sensitizers - cause an allergic skin or lung reaction.

Acutely Toxic Materials - cause an adverse effect, even at a very low dose.

Carcinogens - may cause cancer.

Teratogens - may cause birth defects.

Organ Specific Hazards - may cause damage to specific organ systems, such as the blood, liver, lungs, or reproductive system.

 

Which of the following is NOT a health hazard?

Primary Irritant

Answer .....ALL of the above
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