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Iridocyclitis

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Irritant

Definition

• An irritant is defined by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) according to Appendix A 29 CFR 1910.1200, the Hazard Communication Standard as:
a chemical, which is not corrosive, but which causes a reversible inflammatory effect on living tissue by chemical action at the site of contact. A chemical is a skin irritant if, when tested on the intact skin of albino rabbits by the methods of 16 CFR 1500.41 for four hours exposure or by other appropriate techniques, it results in an empirical score of five or more. A chemical is an eye irritant if so determined under the procedure listed in 16 CFR 1500.42 or other appropriate techniques."

• A more general definition is a substance which on immediate, prolonged, or repeated contact with normal living tissue will induce a local inflammatory reaction.

Additional Info

16 CFR 1500.3 defines a primary irritant as a substance that is not corrosive and that human experience data indicate is a primary irritant and/or means a substance that results in an empirical score of five or more when tested by the method described in Sec. 1500.41.

The effect of irritants is temporary. For example, pepper spray is a severe eye irritant, but causes no lasting effects. Chronic irritation should be discussed with your physician as it can be symptom of a variety of other underlying disease conditions or allergies.

MSDS Relevance

It is sometimes difficult to tell whether an itch, redness or other irritation is the result of a chemical exposure. Be sure to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) (such as gloves, goggles, aprons or dust masks) that is effective for the kind of irritant you are working with. First aid treatment for skin irritation is to flush the affected area with water. Consult a physician if the symptoms persist or you have concerns about possible transdermal (through the skin) toxicity. The most effective first aid treatment for eye irritation caused by chemicals or foreign bodies in the eye is to flush the eyes with an ANSI-approved eye wash. Follow up with a physician, especially if a foreign body was involved (corneal abrasions or scratches are possible) or the chemical was basic (bases can cause severe eye damage even with water flushing).

If you splash chemicals or dusts in your eyes, ANSI-approved eye washes, or safety showers could help save your eyesight.

Further Reading

• Health Effects Test Guidelines OPPTS 870.2400 Acute Eye Irritation (22 Kb PDF file) from the US Environmental Protection Agency.
• Health Effects Test Guidelines OPPTS 870.2500 Acute Dermal Irritation (23 Kb PDF file) from the US Environmental Protection Agency.
• Contact Dermatitis, Irritant at eMedicine discusses many common skin irritants.
• Allergies on the Job: 7 Workplace Irritants at ABC News.

See also: dermatitis, inflammation, sensitizer, urticaria, vesicant.

Additional definitions from Google and OneLook.

Disclaimer: The information contained herein is believed to be true and accurate, however ILPI makes no guarantees concerning the veracity of any statement. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. ILPI strongly encourages the reader to consult the appropriate local, state and federal agencies concerning the matters discussed herein.