The hazards of chemicals vary widely and appropriate caution must always be used.
Every chemical can be hazardous in certain circumstances.
An understanding of the hazards of chemicals and how they enter the body can help those working with chemicals devise procedures to work with them safely. This chapter presents information on the physical and health hazards associated with chemicals, routes of exposures, factors affecting toxicity, and general measures that can be taken to control chemical exposures. A chemical that causes a sudden, almost instantaneous release of gas, pressure, and heat when subjected to sudden shock, high temperature or pressure. A material that is liable to cause fire through friction, contact with moisture, spontaneous reaction, or retained heat, or which can be readily ignited and burns with enough persistence or violence to cause a serious health hazard. A chemical that initiates or supports combustion of other materials, causing fire by itself or by the release of oxygen or other gasses.