7.1 Hazardous substances

Written by Imran Qureshi (NEBOSH)

NEBOSH IGC · Workplace hazards · 15 questions

Name: ____________________ Date: ____________

Chronic health effects are those that:
- A Occur only in children
- B Appear immediately
- C Never cause harm
- D Develop slowly after repeated or long exposure
Which is a form of chemical agent?
- A Fumes
- B Radiation
- C Noise
- D Vibration
Which is a biological agent?
- A Bacteria
- B Cement
- C Carbon monoxide
- D Silica
A chemical agent in the form of fine solid particles floating in air is a:
- A Vapour
- B Liquid
- C Gas
- D Dust
Which of these is a biological agent?
- A A dust
- B A fume
- C A virus
- D A mist
Which of these is an acute health effect?
- A A chemical burn soon after contact
- B Cancer after decades
- C Silicosis after years of exposure
- D Lung scarring over many years
Which of these is a chronic health effect?
- A Silicosis after years of dust exposure
- B A headache an hour after exposure
- C A chemical burn on contact
- D Immediate eye irritation
Fumes are best described as:
- A A gas at room temperature
- B Liquid droplets in air
- C Solid particles formed when a vaporised metal cools
- D A fibre
A mist is made up of:
- A A gas
- B Solid particles
- C Liquid droplets suspended in air
- D Fibres
Which health hazard class covers substances that cause cancer?
- A Carcinogenicity
- B Skin corrosion
- C Acute toxicity
- D Aspiration hazard
Sensitisation means that:
- A The substance is flammable
- B The substance is a fibre
- C A person becomes allergic after exposure and reacts even to small amounts later
- D The substance is harmless
Germ cell mutagenicity refers to:
- A Damage to genes that may be passed on
- B Skin burns only
- C Hearing loss
- D Eye irritation only
Reproductive toxicity means the substance can:
- A Harm fertility or the unborn child
- B Cause noise
- C Burn the skin only
- D Cause radiation
Aspiration hazard relates to:
- A Liquid entering the lungs through the mouth or nose
- B Heat stress
- C Radiation exposure
- D Hearing loss
A substance that can cause burns to the skin on contact is classed under which health hazard?
- A Skin corrosion or irritation
- B Germ cell mutagenicity
- C Reproductive toxicity
- D Aspiration hazard

Answer key

1. D, 2. A, 3. A, 4. D, 5. C, 6. A, 7. A, 8. C, 9. C, 10. A, 11. C, 12. A, 13. A, 14. A, 15. A

Chronic means long term.
Dusts, fibres, fumes, gases, mists, vapours and liquids.
Bacteria, viruses and fungi are biological agents.
Chemical agents occur as dusts, fibres, fumes, gases, mists, vapours and liquids.
Fungi, bacteria and viruses are biological agents.
Acute effects appear quickly after a short exposure.
Chronic effects develop slowly.
Welding produces fumes.
Mists can be inhaled.
Carcinogenicity is one of the classes.
Respiratory or skin sensitisation causes asthma or dermatitis.
Mutagens cause heritable genetic damage.
It affects reproduction.
It is one of the listed health hazard classes.
Skin corrosion or irritation is one of the listed health hazard classes.