Irritants

Introduction

Irritants – in this article to be understood as being chemical irritants – are substances that may cause injuries to the skin, the eyes or the airways after a single exposure. These injuries may range from small, initially invisible injuries after exposure to weak irritants up to chemical burns after exposure to very strong irritants (i.e. corrosive substances). Prolonged or repeated exposure to weak irritants or a single exposure to stronger irritants may result in lasting health effects such as (irritative) eczema or asthma. Irritants are present in very many sectors and occupations. Irritants and the products containing them may be identified…