Chemical Sensitizer

Chemical sensitizer
• A chemical that causes allergic reaction in normal tissue after
exposure
• Sensitizers are materials that can cause severe skin and/or respiratory
responses in a sensitized worker after exposure to a very small amount
of the material
• Sensitization develops over time. When a worker is first exposed to a
sensitizer, there may be no obvious reaction
• However, future exposures can lead to increasingly severe reactions in
sensitized workers. Not all exposed workers will react to sensitizing
materials. Some workers will never become sensitized
Allergy
Sensitivity
• Sensitivity, the ability of an organism or organ to respond to external stimuli
Allergy
• An allergy is an immune system response to a foreign substance that's not
typically harmful to your body. Those foreign substances are called
allergens.
Irritants
• Irritants are chemicals which are not corrosives, but which can cause a
reversible inflammatory effect on living tissue at the site of skin or eye
contact. Examples: chlorine, alkalis, some solvents.
 Sensitization
Sensitization may also refer to:
•Sensitization (immunology), a concept in immunology
•Sensitization implies two phases: the first exposure generates a sensitization process as a response
to contact with allergens. The second phase triggers the allergic response when the previously
sensitized individual is exposed to the allergen again.

The initial human response to a sensitizing compound might be low or none. However, once the
individual has been sensitized, subsequent exposures may cause intense responses even to very low
concentrations.
The most common reactions include
Rhinitis

Asthma

Alveolitis
Bronchitis

Contact eczema

Contact rash

Blepharoconjunctivitis
•Chemicals that are not sensitizers but are irritants may similarly
cause or aggravate allergic reactions in sensitized individuals.
•Reduction of exposure to sensitizers and substances with similar
chemical structures can reduce the rate of allergic reactions in
sensitized persons. However, for some sensitized patients the
only way to prevent immune responses to sensitizers and similar
agents is to completely avoid workplace and daily life exposure. 
• Workers that experience sensitization to a particular substance may
also have crossed reactivity to other substances with similar chemical
structure. Chemicals that are not sensitizers but are irritants may
similarly cause or aggravate allergic reactions in sensitized
individuals.
• Reduction of exposure to sensitizers and substances with similar
chemical structures can reduce the rate of allergic reactions in
sensitized persons. However, for some sensitized patients the only way
to prevent immune responses to sensitizers and similar agents is to
completely avoid workplace and daily life exposure. 
Labelling
• Irritants and sensitizers are now
identified by the United Nations
Globally Harmonized System
(GHS) of Classification and
Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).
Irritant or sensitizer containers
manufactured after the
implementation of GHS will
have this symbol:
Additional Info
• Certain chemicals have no immediate health effects. But if you are exposed
to them several times, they can make you allergic or sensitive to other
chemicals, often quite suddenly. A classic example is formaldehyde (CH2O).
• Typical reactions to sensitizers can include skin disorders such
as eczema and respiratory disorders such as asthma.
• Sensitization is an immune response. Therefore, some people may be easily
sensitized while others may never be affected. Like any allergic response, a
reaction to a sensitizer can be fatal in rare circumstances. You can not
predict your reaction to sensitizing chemicals, so treat all sensitizers with
great respect and follow proper chemical safety and hygiene procedures.

Eczema, a medical condition in which patches of skin become rough and inflamed, with blisters that
cause itching and bleeding, sometimes resulting from a reaction to irritation (eczematous dermatitis) but
more typically having no obvious external cause.
Skin sensitizer 
• A skin sensitizer is "a substance that will induce an allergic response
following skin contact".
• Skin sensitization - skin sensitizers can cause an allergic reaction, with
redness, rash, itching, swelling or blisters at the point of contact or
elsewhere in the body.
Common occupational skin sensitizers
• Formaldehyde
• Methyl methacrylate (used in Resin and Plastics) and
• Toluene diisocyanate (used in the syntheses of gelatinizing and waterproofing
agents in military and commercial explosives)
• Common occupational respiratory sensitizers are
•  Toluene diisocyanate (used in dyes for leather, textiles, and wood)
• Maleic anhydride (used in the production of unsaturated polyester resin as well as
in the manufacture of coatings, pharmaceutics, agricultural products, surfactants,
and as an additive of plastics.)
• Latex (Natural rubber latex is most commonly used to make items like gloves,
swim caps, chewing gum, mattresses, catheters, rubber bands, balloons, tennis
shoes, and many other sporting goods)
 Respiratory sensitization 
• A respiratory sensitizer is a substance with the potential to act, through
whatever mechanism, to create a situation of airway hypersensitivity.
• Respiratory sensitizers can at first cause symptoms similar to a cold or mild
hay fever. However, eventually severe asthmatic symptoms can develop in
sensitized workers, including wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath,
difficulty breathing and/or coughing. A severe attack can cause death.
• A workplace material is classified as a respiratory sensitizer only if it has
caused sensitization reactions in a significant number of exposed workers.
Skin sensitizers are classified using animal tests or human experience.
Other hazards:
• Sensitizers may cause other toxic effects
Exposures Reduction from Sensitizing Materials
UNDERSTAND all of the hazards associated with the material, and
how to use it safely.
• CONSULT the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for information
about the hazards and necessary precautions for the sensitizer(s) you
are using.
•UNDERSTAND all of the hazards associated with the material, and how to use
it safely.
•CONSULT the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for information about the
hazards and necessary precautions for the sensitizer(s) you are using.
•BE AWARE of the typical symptoms of an allergic reaction. KNOW appropriate
first aid procedures.
•REPORT any signs of illness to your supervisor immediately.
•PREVENT exposure to sensitizers. Closed handling systems can prevent the
release of the materials (dust, mist, vapour) into the workplace.
• WEAR appropriate personal protective equipment, if necessary to
avoid all contact with sensitizers, including contaminated equipment.
• PUT on a suitable respirator immediately in the event that a
respiratory sensitizer is released into the workplace.
• USE sensitizers only in well-ventilated areas.
• USE the smallest quantity of sensitizer possible.
• REPORT leaks, spills or ventilation failures to your supervisor
immediately.
• WASH hands thoroughly after handling a sensitizer.
• REMOVE contaminated clothing promptly and store in a closed container.
• DISCARD, or DECONTAMINATE and LAUNDER contaminated
clothing before rewearing.
• UNDERSTAND and PRACTICE emergency procedures so that you know
what to do if it becomes necessary.
• DO NOT SMOKE, EAT or DRINK in work areas that may contain
sensitizers.
• DO NOT REUSE empty containers. Empty containers may contain
hazardous residues.
In the event of an emergency...
• Warn people in the area and move to a safe location to call for
emergency help.
THE END