OSHA defines a health hazard as a chemical which is classified as posing one of the following hazardous effects:
- Acute toxicity (any route of exposure),
- Skin corrosion or irritation,
- Serious eye damage or eye irritation,
- Respiratory or skin sensitization,
- Germ cell mutagenicity,
- Carcinogenicity,
- Reproductive toxicity,
- Specific target organ toxicity (single or repeated exposure), or
- Aspiration hazard.
The criteria for determining whether a chemical is classified as a health hazard are detailed in Appendix A to 1910.1200, Health Hazard Criteria.