Health Hazard OSHA Definition
1. "Carcinogen:" A chemical is considered to be a carcinogen if:
- It has been evaluated by the International Agency for Research on
Cancer (IARC), and found to be a carcinogen or potential carcinogen; or
- It is listed as a carcinogen or potential carcinogen in the Annual
Report on Carcinogens published by the National Toxicology Program (NTP)
(latest edition); or,
- It is regulated by OSHA as a carcinogen.
2. "Corrosive:" A chemical that causes visible destruction of, or
irreversible alterations in, living tissue by chemical action at the site of
contact. For example, a chemical is considered to be corrosive if, when
tested on the intact skin of albino rabbits by the method described by the
U.S. Department of Transportation in appendix A to 49 CFR part 173, it
destroys or changes irreversibly the structure of the tissue at the site of
contact following an exposure period of four hours. This term shall not
refer to action on inanimate surfaces.
3. "Highly toxic:" A chemical falling within any of the following
categories:
- A chemical that has a median lethal dose (LD(50)) of 50 milligrams or
less per kilogram of body weight when administered orally to albino rats
weighing between 200 and 300 grams each.
- A chemical that has a median lethal dose (LD(50)) of 200 milligrams or
less per kilogram of body weight when administered by continuous contact for
24 hours (or less if death occurs within 24 hours) with the bare skin of
albino rabbits weighing between two and three kilograms each.
- A chemical that has a median lethal concentration (LC(50)) in air of 200
parts per million by volume or less of gas or vapor, or 2 milligrams per
liter or less of mist, fume, or dust, when administered by continuous
inhalation for one hour (or less if death occurs within one hour) to albino
rats weighing between 200 and 300 grams each.
4. "Irritant:" A chemical, which is not corrosive, but which causes a
reversible inflammatory effect on living tissue by chemical action at the
site of contact. A chemical is a skin irritant if, when tested on the intact
skin of albino rabbits by the methods of 16 CFR 1500.41 for four hours
exposure or by other appropriate techniques, it results in an empirical
score of five or more. A chemical is an eye irritant if so determined under
the procedure listed in 16 CFR 1500.42 or other appropriate techniques.
5. "Sensitizer:" A chemical that causes a substantial proportion of exposed
people or animals to develop an allergic reaction in normal tissue after
repeated exposure to the chemical.
6. "Toxic:" A chemical falling within any of the following categories:
- A chemical that has a median lethal dose (LD(50)) of more than 50
milligrams per kilogram but not more than 500 milligrams per kilogram of
body weight when administered orally to albino rats weighing between 200 and
300 grams each.
- A chemical that has a median lethal dose (LD(50)) of more than 200
milligrams per kilogram but not more than 1,000 milligrams per kilogram of
body weight when administered by continuous contact for 24 hours (or less if
death occurs within 24 hours) with the bare skin of albino rabbits weighing
between two and three kilograms each.
- A chemical that has a median lethal concentration (LC(50)) in air of
more than 200 parts per million but not more than 2,000 parts per million by
volume of gas or vapor, or more than two milligrams per liter but not more
than 20 milligrams per liter of mist, fume, or dust, when administered by
continuous inhalation for one hour (or less if death occurs within one hour)
to albino rats weighing between 200 and 300 grams each.
7. "Target organ effects:"
The following is a target organ categorization of effects which may occur,
including examples of signs and symptoms and chemicals which have been found
to cause such effects. These examples are presented to illustrate the range
and diversity of effects and hazards found in the workplace, and the broad
scope employers must consider in this area, but are not intended to be
all-inclusive.
- Hepatotoxins: Chemicals which produce liver damage
Signs & Symptoms: Jaundice; liver enlargement
Chemicals: Carbon tetrachloride; nitrosamines
- Nephrotoxins: Chemicals which produce kidney damage
Signs & Symptoms: Edema; proteinuria
Chemicals: Halogenated hydrocarbons; uranium -
Neurotoxins: Chemicals which produce their primary toxic effects on the nervous system
Signs & Symptoms: Narcosis; behavioral changes; decrease in motor functions
Chemicals: Mercury; carbon disulfide
- Agents which act on the blood or hemato-poietic system: Decrease hemoglobin function; deprive the body tissues of oxygen
Signs & Symptoms: Cyanosis; loss of consciousness
Chemicals: Carbon monoxide; cyanides
- Agents which damage the lung: Chemicals which irritate or damage pulmonary tissue
Signs & Symptoms: Cough; tightness in chest; shortness of breath
Chemicals: Silica; asbestos
- Reproductive toxins: Chemicals which affect the reproductive capabilities including chromosomal damage (mutations) and effects on fetuses (teratogenesis)
Signs & Symptoms: Birth defects; sterility
Chemicals: Lead; DBCP
- Cutaneous hazards: Chemicals which affect the dermal layer of the body
Signs & Symptoms: Defatting of the skin; rashes; irritation
Chemicals: Ketones; chlorinated compounds
- Eye hazards: Chemicals which affect the eye or visual capacity
Signs & Symptoms: Conjunctivitis; corneal damage
Chemicals: Organic solvents; acids
 Last Modified: February 1, 2008
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