Chemical Effects

Concept of Chemical Effects

In relation to securing dangerous material (in case of crisis or terrorism) a meaning of chemical effects may be outlined, in general regarding European law, as follows: Possible consequences of exposure of humans to chemical substances, including: illness due to interference with the biological processes (toxicity); damage due to destruction of the body tissue (corrosion/irritation), sensitization of skin or respiratory organs; induction of cancer (carcinogenicity), damage to the genetic information in egg and sperm cells (germ cell mutagenicity), impaired ability to create offspring or damage to the unborn child (reproductive toxicity or “repro-toxic”). Substances with have one or more of the latter three properties are also grouped as “CMR-substances”.[1]

Resources

Notes and References

1. Definition of chemical effects published by the European Commission