Many chemicals commonly used in the laboratory are corrosive or irritating to body tissue.
They present a hazard to the eyes and skin by direct contact, to the respiratory tract by inhalation or to the gastrointestinal system by ingestion. Anecdotes offers incidents involving chemical burns from incorrectly handling corrosives. Bromine, sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide are examples of highly corrosive liquids. See Chemical Specific Issues for specific corrosive liquids such as Hydrofluoric Acid and Phenol . The eyes are particularly vulnerable.