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close this bookYour Health and Safety at Work: A Collection of Modules - Your Body at Work (ILO, 1996, 40 p.)
close this folderIII. Effects of toxic substances
View the document(introduction...)
View the documentA. Local effects
View the documentB. Systemic effects
View the documentC. Acute effects
View the documentD. Chronic effects

A. Local effects

Some substances have only a localized effect on one part of the body - where the hazardous agent comes into contact with or enters the body. For example, the local effect can be on the skin, such as an acid burn, or in the digestive tract when a hazardous agent is ingested. Some substances like ammonia, chlorine, welding fumes and exhaust fumes can cause local irritation to the lungs when they are inhaled.