If the pH approaches 14, the material is very caustic and can cause immediate damage to the skin and eyes. Caustic burns to the skin may not feel like a burn at first, but the skin will feel very slippery and slick. If your skin feels slippery after a chemical is spilled on it, the skin is actually dissolving and should be washed with lots of water immediately. Toxic Materials Toxic materials are known or suspected to cause some type of damage to your body if you are exposed to them. Identification and proper controls are used to ensure protection from the health dangers of toxic materials.
Toxic materials can enter the body by many routes.
Since toxic materials can be solids, liquids, or gases, they can be absorbed through the skin, inhaled into the lungs, or accidentally ingested. Engineering controls are used to prevent workers from coming into contact with toxic chemicals wherever possible, but working with toxic chemicals may sometimes be necessary. Further information on the types of PPE needed and how they work will be covered in the Personal Protective Equipment section. Reactive Materials Reactive materials are known to cause explosions, fire, or spontaneous combustion under some conditions. Carefully examine the MSDSs for any materials that are suspected to be, or are labeled as, reactive materials.