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What is a hazardous substance?
A hazardous substance is any material that can harm our bodies, either at the time of exposure or later. These substances may be solids, liquids, gases, or dusts. The toxicity of a substance is the ability of the substance to cause damage to living tissue, illness, or even death. The degree of toxicity depends on several factors:
- Chemical makeup. Some chemicals are more toxic than others because of their chemical structure.
- Amount. All chemicals are toxic. It is a matter of how much to which you are exposed. For example, some chemicals, such as strychnine, that are extremely toxic may have beneficial therapeutic value when used in very small amounts in prescription drugs. The amount a person is exposed to is called the dose.
- Type of contact. There are three primary routes of entry for hazardous materials. These are inhalation (entry through the lungs), absorption (entry through the skin or eye), and ingestion (entry through the mouth). Each of these routes can cause different effects.
- Length of contact. For some substances, a short contact may cause no ill effect, while a long term exposure may be harmful.
- Personal susceptibility. Some of us are more sensitive to hazardous materials than others. Some things that can cause any of us to be more sensitive are diet, smoking, allergies, and pregnancy.
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