Target organ effects

Table 6. Target Organ Effects Categorized Under the Hazard Communication Act...

When working with chemicals that have target organ effects it is critical to prevent exposure. This is especially true if you have a pre-existing condition, disease, or injury to that particular organ. Read the MSDS to fmd out the most effective personal protection equipment (PPE) for dealing with the chemical and be certain to minimize release of the chemical in the first place. 

The USOSH Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200, has categorized certain target organ effects, 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 they are not intended to be all-inclusive. These are summarized for the reader in Table 17. 

Benzene levels in blood and expired air were determined in a population of 168 men divided into 4 groups blood donors, hospital staff, and chemical workers with and without benzene exposure (Brugnone et al. 1989). Workers with a TWA benzene exposure of 0.4 ppm had measurable blood and alveolar concentrations of benzene that were significantly different from the other 3 groups. However, blood levels would be expected to provide a more accurate assessment of internal dose and, thus, a more accurate prediction of target organ effects than other monitoring end points. In addition, baseline levels of benzene in the blood of environmentally sensitive individuals not known to have exposure to benzene... 

There are target organ effects for which a substance/mixture may not meet the criteria to be classified in Categories 1 or 2 indicated above. These are effects which adversely alter human function for a short duration after exposure and from which humans may recover in a reasonable period without leaving significant alteration of structure or fimction. This category only includes narcotic effects and respiratory tract irritation. Substances/mixtures may be classified specifically for these effects as discussed in 3.8.2.2. 

Target organ effect Damage caused in a specific organ following exposure to certain chemicals. For example, a "neurotoxin" is a chemical, such as mercury, that produces its primary toxic effect on the nervous system. 

Health hazard data including acute and chronic health effects and target organ effects... 

Toxic—a chemical that has been determined to have an adverse health impact Highly toxic—a chemical of which only a small amount is lethal Target organ effects—a chemical that contacts the body at one location (e.g., a hand) and is transferred to another area of the body where it has an adverse effect on a specific organ... 

Target organ effects (Signs and symptoms for various bodily organs). 

Effects. Determine the biological and physical effects and hazards, including routes of exposure, latency times, and dose and threshold effects, if any. Prior experience with the substance, its analogs and derivatives, is very important. Examples solubility in biological fluids, metabolic and target organ effects. 

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