Irritation
- Respiratory: Chemicals can irritate the nose and upper respiratory tract causing sneezing, coughing and, in some cases, bronchitis. They may also damage lung tissue.
- Skin and Eyes: Chemicals on skin often cause dermatitis (a rash). Solvents can de-grease the skin causing it to become red and sore. Corrosive material such as strong acids and bases can be irritants in dilute form but cause severe burns when concentrated. Eyes are particularly vulnerable and damage can be permanent.
Sensitisation
- Respiratory: Some chemicals can cause sensitisation leading to asthma. Once sensitised, even minimal exposure can cause a severe allergic response.
- Skin: Sensitisation can occur through contact with a chemical and the skin. As before, once sensitised, minimal contact can cause an allergic response causing severe itching and other discomfort.
Long-term Effects
The most serious of long-term effects is cancer, a disorder of cell growth. Here the effect of exposure may not be evident for many years. Carcinogenic materials are considered in more detail here.
Reproductive Disorders
Possible effects are loss of fertility in both men and women, heritable genetic damage or harm to the unborn child.
