A Chemical Hazard can cause harm to humans, property and/or the environment.
A chemical can occur naturally such as radon gas or be manufactured such as paints, glues, adhesives, bleaches and diesel.
Sometimes chemicals can be produced as a result of work activities such as fumes from soldering and welding.
Chemicals can enter the body by the following routes:
- inhalation - through the airways in to the lungs
- ingestion - through the mouth
- absorption - through the skin
Harmful effects suffered as a result of chemcials can be acute or chronic.
Acute effects of exposure to chemicals is where a substance has caused harm through a single exposure to it of short duration.
Chronic effects of exposure to chemicals is where the harm only becomes apparent after a prolonged period of exposure and/or repeated exposure to the chemical.