Health Effects

When working with hazardous substances the effects on your health can be either short or long term. A substance can enter the body in four ways:

• Inhalation – breathing it in.
• Absorption – through the skin.
• Ingestion – swallowing it.
• Injection – through broken skin.

When coming into contact with hazardous substances the effects can be either acute (short term) or chronic (long term). Acute effects occur quickly as a result of a single large dose. Chronic effects are as a result of small doses repeated over time. If the effects are chronic (long term) then it is difficult to link ill health to exposure of hazardous substances.

The effect may also develop at the area where the substance enters or comes in contact with the body (local) or it could affect target organs of the body (systemic).

It is important to bear in mind that if you come into contact or exposure to hazardous substances at work it may cause pain, discomfort; time off work and even death. For example frequent skin contact with oils or corrosive liquids can cause dermatitis: skin cancer and injuries to eyes and hands.