The following substances are used in a wide range of activities and can cause poisoning:

• Acrylamide monomer.Toxic, carcinogen, mutagen- readily absorbed through skin.
• Arsenic and its compound-As above
• Benzene/toluene-Blood cancer, bone marrow failure
• Beryllium-Carcinogen, sensitiser.
• Cadmium and its compounds-Lungs, kidneys
• Carbon disulphide-Toxic, fatal if swallowed. Absorbed through skin
• Dioxin-Carcinogen, teratogen
• Ethylene oxide-Teratogen, solvent, reacts violently with water carcinogen, mutagen
• Lead and its compounds-Blood poisoning (inorganic), liver/CNS (organic)

• Manganese and its compounds
• Mercury and its compounds-Teratogen.
• Nitro/amino/chloro benzenes-Carcinogens
• Oxides of nitrogen-Respiratory-ozone depleter
• Phosphorus and its compounds-Corrosive, irritant to lungs
• Solvents such a trichloroethylene-Powerful anaesthetic, CNS, dermatitis
• Vinyl chloride-Liver cancer.