(PDF) Occupational Medicine and Toxicology

ENVIRONMENTAL AND
OCCUPATIONAL
TOXICOLOGY

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK...............................................................................................................................................1
Various classes of health hazards...........................................................................................1
Hazardous chemical which pose toxic effects........................................................................3
Characteristics of hazardous chemical and its uses................................................................4
Toxicological information and mechanism of action of Nitrogen Oxide...............................5
Effects of hazardous chemicals on human health...................................................................6
Methods to reduce the risk of the hazardous chemical...........................................................7
Availability of a medical test that detect about person who get exposure to hazardous
chemical..................................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Environmental and occupational toxicology refers to a branch of science that deals with
study of such toxic chemicals in environment and at work place which harms the health of an
individual. There are various kinds of toxic chemicals that are released from the factories or
working areas and leads to several diseases in human beings (Nordberg, Fowler & Nordberg,
2014). It includes a method to understand and manage chemical and biological hazards that are
encountered at work. Occupational toxicology is helpful in certain aspects like to make decision
within hierarchical control, setting exposure standards for workplace chemicals along with
biological monitoring for the sane. This assignment will discuss about various classes of health
hazards and chemical substance with that has toxic effects on health. It also includes description
about availability of medical test that detect about person who get exposure to hazardous
chemical.
TASK
Various classes of health hazards
The health hazards group refers to different types hazardous substances that cause n
adverse health issues to people such as acute toxicity, respiratory sensitization (such as breathing
difficulties, asthma or allergy), eye irritation or carcinogenicity (ability to cause cancer) and
many more. It includes these products which are toxic to human health while they comes in
contact with the same and leads top critical disease. The various classes of health hazards are
given below:
(WHMIS 2015 Hazard Classes and Categories, 2017)
Acute Toxicity (Oral/Dermal/Inhalation): This refers to the group of those chemical
toxic products that fatal while they comes in contact with skin or swallowed by people like
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Illustration 1: WHMIS 2015 Hazard Classes and Categories, 2017

chlorinated solvents. It impacts on health occurred following skin contact, ingestion exposure to
a single or multiple dose which is given within 24 hours and an inhalation exposure of 4 hours
(Martenies & Perry, 2013) .
Skin Corrosion/Irritation: This class of skin corrosion includes certain substances that
results into burns, irritation and many more issues relevant to skin such as fumes or some
chemical . For example, acids, bases, fat-dissolving solvents etc.
Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation: There are various kinds of chemicals or acids that
cause eye damage or irritation such as sulphuric acid, sulphurous acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric
acid, acetic acid, chromic acid and hydrofluoric acid.
Respiratory or Skin Sensitization: This group of products are responsible for several
respiratory issues like allergies, asthma, rhinitis etc. It includes pollen grains, allergens and other
solvents that cause issues relevant to skin sensitization and respiration.
Germ Cell Mutagenicity: The term mutagenicity refers to those substances which are
responsible for several genetic effects in individuals. It basically includes permanent changes
called mutations which are introduced by mutagens to body cells that can be passed on to future
generations as well.
Carcinogenicity: This class of products can be described about cancer causing agents
that are accountable for different kinds of cancers various organs of human body. The agents are
known carcinogens which cause cancer by introducing cancerous cell along with carried out
multi division of those infectious cells (Baxter and et. al., 2010) .
Reproductive Toxicology: There are different types of chemical substances which are
accountable for several reproductive problems in people. Such goods chemicals are responsible
for damaging fertile capacity or the unborn foetus. The poly-chlorinated organic compounds,
pesticides, phthalates, bis-phenol A, brominated flame retardants and heavy metals are known
for disturbing reproductive ability.
Target Organ Systemic Toxicity - Single Exposure: This category of products are
accountable for causing damage to several organs such as liver, kidneys or blood following
single exposure. Such chemicals are causing certain problems like respiratory irritation,
drowsiness, dizziness and so on.
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